"Dives & Dunks", with Drew Westervelt

What does your daily wall ball routine consists of?

Prior to this year I played nine years of both NLL and MLL. This year is unique in that I have the winter off. I've been using this time to concentrate on my work endeavors and rest my body for the MLL. Therefore, When I play wall ball I like to use that time to get comfortable with my stick and how it is releasing. I pick a target on the wall I'm using and try to hit that same spot 10x. I move of to the goal after that to rep realistic shots I take in games. My favorite is shooting with a buddy to get feeds to work on catch and release.

What do you look for in a pocket?

I think the most important characteristics in a pocket are consistency and feel. I have to be confident I can get the ball out of my stick quickly and accurately every time.

Current stick setup? (Head, mesh, shaft, pocket placement)

Photo: Warrior evo 4 / diamond shaft / ecd

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Being a MLL Veteran and achieving so much throughout your career, what would you say your greatest achievement is?

Great question. I'm proud of my career so far. I think the obvious answers would be 2010 world championship and MLL championships. I'm not the best all around player but I pride myself on being consistent & reliable as an offensive guy. I really concentrate on being efficient, in regards to shooting percentage and limiting turnovers. Knowing your role and executing it is first and foremost.

What's a personal goal for yourself this 2016 MLL season?

My goal this season is to be a leader! I enter every season with the goal to gain better efficiency from the prior year through shooting percentage and limiting turnovers. Being a veteran I will be a leader in the locker room and on and off the field.

Enjoying each opportunity as an athlete is what it is all about. 15 years ago when I was in high school I did not anticipate having all the opportunities and longevity Ive had as a player (D1 UMBC, MLL, NLL, Team USA). I think the best way to go through life is the be humble and hungry by acknowledging what you achieved and go get what's next.

What's one piece advice you give a mediocre attackman, who is looking to be a "great" attackman?

Get out of your own head my man! Have fun and get to work, concentrate on the strengths of your game.

How many shots would you say you take a day?

At this point in my career I'm really confident with my stick and concentrate on quality vs quantity. I love shooting on goalies who love shots. Challenging yourself to be versatile, deceptive and consistent is what I work on during my shooting sessions.

What inspired you to create you own brand/company, HEX performance?

Being entrepreneurial is very similar to the experiences, struggles and triumphs of an athlete. Persistence and belief in your vision is paramount no matter what others say.

Here's the story. The gear and apparel I was given as a pro was rapidly evolving from cotton to synthetic materials. Furthermore detergents available in the laundry aisle had not innovated with fabric and didn't clean / work. My stuff always smelled like flowery sweat. The lightbulb went off and we went to work identifying unique and Eco-friendly chemistries to clean and prevent stains / sweat / bacteria / MRSA / stink out of all fabrics. Basically one detergent inspired by active wear but designed for all laundry.

I never thought my career choice that would involve laundry detergent but here I am! We are launching in thousands of retail doors this April including Target, Safeway, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, shoprite, CVS and many many more!

So put yourself out there a work towards what motivated you.

What's one thing that people would be surprised to know about Drew Westervelt?

Earlier in my professional career I wish I put more emphasis on my strength / fitness. I believe my versatility as a player would be much higher. I've never been a big lifter and wish I had better strength. I think it's key to longevity and injury prevention. The good news is today is a new day and Jay Dyer is a phone call away!

Where would you like to see the next MLL/NLL team and where do you see our sport in the next 10 years?

I think lacrosse has tremendous upside. I'm excited to see how we grow as a sport. The good news is we don't have to recreate the wheel! There are a number of other leagues who has gone from rags to riches. I believe the key to success is to engage others, consult, listen and learn on how to put our best foot forward. We will win as a sport, it will require critical thinking and strategic partners. We have a tremendous product and personalities to rapidly push this thing forward. Success to me would be full time athletes living in the city's they play in both indoor and outdoor with out overlap. Both NLL / MLL are too good for lacrosse to pick one or the other.

Most memorable goal? One that really got the crowd loud.

My most memorable goals come from my NLL career. There is nothing better that scoring on a 4x4 and hearing the hockey horn in a packed arena! Indoor It's such a challenge as a scorer. My favorite goals are fast break dives and dunks from behind the goal. For a big dude I think I'm kinda acrobatic and creative in the NLL more so than MLL. Although you all are the judge of that!

Using warrior products throughout your career, what are your thoughts on the warrior Warp innovation? Will you be using it this season?

Warrior products have been a staple of my pro career.

It has taken me quite a while to get really confident in my stringing. Thinking back, I can't believe the pocket I played with in college! I've gone from hard mesh to the soft hero mesh ECD makes.

Im intrigued by the Warp and looking forward to seeing it. In theory it makes sense to have identical sticks that all throw the same out of the gate. I also believe they have developed a couple different pocket options to choose from. Variety and personal preference has always been part of the sport whether you string your own or not. Therefore, that doesn't change and players should play with makes them most effective and a lacrosse player. I will give more feedback after I get a chance to rip a couple with the warp!