Mark Millon, John Gagliardi among LIers inducted into Professional Lacrosse Hall of Fame's inaugural class
2022 Professional Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductees (L-R) Brian "Doc" Dougherty, Paul Cantabene, Nicky Polanco, Pat McCabe, John Gagliardi, Matt Streibel, Jay Jalbert, Gary Gait, Casey Powell, Mark Millon and John Grant Jr. during the Premier Lacrosse League game between the Archers and Cannons on Saturday June 18, 2022 at Hofstra. Credit: Bob Sorensen
Mark Millon stood on the field with the other all-time greats Saturday at Shuart Stadium, and the former attackman slipped his arms into a gold jacket during his induction into yet another hall of fame.
This was hall No. 5 for the 51-year-old Huntington native, the Professional Lacrosse Hall of Fame. That followed his entrance into the Harborfields High and UMass athletic halls of fame, the Long Island lacrosse hall of fame and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
“This one is a little different because it’s all current guys that I played with and against, and they are the best of the best of the best,” Millon said. “They’re all icons and solid guys who helped build the sport.”
This one was also different because it was the inaugural class. The 11 members were inducted at halftime of the opening game in a Premier Lacrosse League doubleheader at Hofstra. The league is the organization behind this new hall.
This class also included Casey Powell and John Grant Jr. in the attack category; Cold Spring Harbor alum Jay Jalbert, Gary Gait and Matt Streibel for the midfield; John Gagliardi, who played at Manhasset, Pat McCabe, who played at Elmont, and Nicky Polanco, who played at Oceanside and Hofstra, on defense; Paul Cantabene for faceoffs; and goalie Brian Dougherty.
Millon played for four teams in the indoor National Lacrosse League, including the New York Saints, and four in outdoor Major League Lacrosse, including briefly for the Long Island Lizards. He excelled at dodging and became the first MLL player to reach 300 points.
Now he’s a Professional Lacrosse Hall of Famer.
“There’s nothing better,” said Millon, up from Baltimore with his wife, Erin, also a National Lacrosse Hall of Famer, and sons McCabe and Brendan. “I was just literally overjoyed.”
Gagliardi could relate. He played 10 MLL seasons with the Lizards and was named an All-Star five times. He also played four years in the NLL, including one with the Saints.
This is hall No. 3 for him. This one is the biggest one.
“It’s a huge accomplishment, growing up playing, didn’t even dream of there being a pro league, never mind making it to the Hall of Fame,” Gagliardi said.
McCabe won championships alongside Gagliardi with the Lizards in 2001 and 2003. McCabe, who now resides in Oceanside, just finished his eighth season coaching the Adelphi women’s program, which he has guided to a 131-17 record and three D-II titles.
“It’s very humbling to be considered in a group like this,” McCabe said. “You are surrounded by people you have so much respect for as people and players. To be included in the group is truly an honor.”
