Since its inaugural season in 1949, Middlebury College’s Lacrosse program has produced 20 First Team All-Americans and 25 Scholar All-Americans, but few exemplified a scoring knack like Mike Stone. Mike Stone was born on June 28, 1986 in Wellesley, MA. At an early age Stone was drawn to lacrosse and began playing in fifth grade. While attending Wellesley High, Mike was a two-time high school All-American for lacrosse. Despite showing a knack for scoring many of Stones DI offers fell through due to his lack of size. During high school, Stone was around 5’11” 150lbs and most D1 schools were looking for kids that were 6’2” 200lbs. As Stone put it “it wasn’t about how hard I would play or what I could bring, it was all about my size.” Stone looked to take his talents elsewhere and found Middlebury College. While at Middlebury, Stone was a two-time first team All-American, two-time NESCAC Player of the Year, three time first-team All-NESCAC and a scholar All-American.
Middlebury College
While at Middlebury, Stone’s smaller frame and light weight failed to hinder his success on the field. During his freshman year, Stone played in 17 games, scoring 9 goals and 3 assists for 12 points. His 12 points as a freshman was a formidable start, but fell short of his personal expectations. During his sophomore year, Stone tripled both his goal and point total, finishing the season with 29 goals and 7 assists for 36 points. His 36-point season marked the first time Stone was selected for the first team All-NESCAC. Stone followed up his sophomore performance with a 51-point junior season, earning him first-team All-NECAC, First-team All-American, and NESCAC Player of the year. During his senior season, Stone was a man playing amongst boys. He cruised through the season scoring 57 goals, an average of 3.17 goals per game, and added 16 assists for 73 points. Once again, Stone earned a spot on the first-team All-NECAC, First-team All-American, and NESCAC Player of the year. Stone’s 7-goal game against Skidmore ranks second in Middlebury lacrosse records for goals in a single game. Stone’s 57 goal senior season ranks second only to Rodger Nicholas’s 59 goals in 1980. Despite having overcome his supposed size hurdle and amassing 172 points during his four years at Middlebury, Stone was overlooked in the MLL (Major League Lacrosse) Draft. He was passed over in the primary draft and waited till the 9th round of the supplemental draft to hear his name called.
MLL
His hometown team the Boston Cannons selected Stone in the supplemental draft. Stone’s selection in the supplemental draft allowed his to join the team at the start of the season. During his first season with the Cannons, Stone struggled to find the scoring knack he exemplified in college. He played in 9 games scoring 5 goals. In his second season, Stone experienced a similar period of struggles only playing in 6 games and scoring 5 goals. During the MLL Playoffs, Stone not only played in both games, but scored in both helping his team to win the 2011 MLL Championship. Stone’s playoff performance and team success spurred him to once again find his scoring stroke. In 2012 Stone emerged as one of the best offensive midfielders in the MLL, he scored 22 goals and 8 assists for 28 points, earning him MLL All Star status. During his 2013 season, Stone set career highs, compiling 25 goals and 9 assists for 34 points. His on-field performance once again earned him All Star honors and the Cannons’ team honor as the Offensive Player of the Year. Like the majority of other MLL players, Stone plays in the MLL out of a mere love for the game. Compensation in the MLL is not nearly enough to be a primary source of income. Stone teaches lacrosse lessons with a few teammates at the Mike Stone Lacrosse Academy. Stone’s greatest contribution comes in the form of off-field actions and involvement. Stone acts as the president of GivingSomeThing, an organization that gives goods directly to non-profit organizations based on their needs.
Mike Stone Speaking on His Career