E-Lacrosse Features

An Interview with Brine's Bill Daye on the 2003 Products and more!

Everyone's asking about the Brine Prophecy and Supercrosse Gloves! So we hooked up with Brine product development boss and keeper extraordinaire, Bill Daye. In an exhaustive interview we ask the questions you wanted to ask and many more. We even get a run-down on today's best goalies from the recently retired Boston Cannons star.

E-Lacrosse:
We're here in the E-Lax Tech Chat with Bill Daye of Brine.

Bill Daye:
What up?

E-Lacrosse:
Hey BD. We were all bummed when you recently retired from injuries. How are you doing now? And is it hard to leave early and on top?

Bill Daye:
It was tough to leave the game especially when you're at the pinnacle of your career but I had so much fun playing this sport that after I did leave it all sunk in. I'm doing fine with the injury and have completely recovered. I'm occasionally running around still playing the game just not at the intense level of Major League Lacrosse.

E-Lacrosse:
Will we see you in a summer tournament or two?

Bill Daye:
Yes, maybe not this year.....but soon. I may take a full year off or I may show up at one of the premier tourneys. Who knows?

E-Lacrosse:
We'd love to have you in Amsterdam! Any year!

Bill Daye:
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind…..never been to Amsterdam!

E-Lacrosse:
I am sitting with my Brine SuperCrosse gloves in front of me right now. We might as well start there.

Bill Daye:
Sounds good.

E-Lacrosse:
They are very light and compact. That's was the first physical thing I noticed. T hen they're comfortable when you put them on. Snug.

Bill Daye:
That was the main goal when creating this glove. We wanted a lighter, closer fitting glove that still maintained the protection that Brine is known for.

E-Lacrosse:
I used them on a trip recently and did not cut them at all, and I almost always cut palms these days. And these played great first time out with no cuts.

Bill Daye:
Unfortunately today's players can't cut out their palms like we used to, so when we design gloves we keep this in mind

E-Lacrosse:
Tell me about the construction and materials.

Bill Daye:
The construction of the glove is very similar to traditional gloves however we used separate molded components, i.e. on the fingers. Each finger consists of individually molded pieces that were designed to completely surround the finger from all angles and protect it. The SuperCrosse gets it's name from the Motorcross industry, the composite knuckle piece is a component you see in motorcross gloves. The protection it gives to the knuckles and the back of the hand is tremendous.

E-Lacrosse:
It's very flexible too.

Bill Daye:
Yes it is, very flexible. A trait we focused on when designing this glove. The breaks in the pattern, the way we attach the cuff.- all attributes to the flexibility.

E-Lacrosse:
No huge Brine logo either.

Bill Daye:
No there isn't. That was intentional. This is a high end glove that a performance player uses; they don't want to be billboards.

E-Lacrosse:
What is the material? It's soft but foil like in appearance, like a cloth that is made of metal.

Bill Daye:
It's a synthetic leather. The foil as you call it is a unique look we wanted specifically for the SuperCrosse.

E-Lacrosse:
It's textured creating a metallic illusion.

Bill Daye:
It's very similar to the Nike shoe that was worn in the world cup.

E-Lacrosse:
The cuff is closely connected but pulls away easily and is not cumbersome.

Bill Daye:
Our PD team really focused on the cuff, it's a an extremely important part of a lacrosse glove. We wanted to make it as flexible as possible w/out sacrificing the protection needed from slashes, etc.

E-Lacrosse:
It's like a mesh inside.

Bill Daye:
That's our moisture management liner. It wicks away perspiration and cools the back of the hand, not to mention it's soft.

E-Lacrosse:
I like the soft feel. "wicks" is a word I never heard before being involved in the lax industry.

Bill Daye:
Wicks?

E-Lacrosse:
Yes.

Bill Daye:
Moisture wicking my man! It's important.

E-Lacrosse:
It must be. Keep up the great wicking. OK, The Knuckle is obviously special.

Bill Daye:
The "Bronx" knuckle is a composite molded carbon piece.

E-Lacrosse:
It may be an illusion. It looks like a carbon wrap encased in plastic or something clear.

Bill Daye:
No that's just what the carbon material looks like after it's molded.

E-Lacrosse:
A very cool look, and its hard as a rock while still flexing between the knuckles. Does this glove come in sizes?

Bill Daye:
For the first season just a 13". I am considering introducing a 12" next season.

E-Lacrosse:
I know the colors are different than the garden variety royal, red, forest, navy...

Bill Daye:
Yes. It's the material that we're using, it's a pearlized effect. We do a variation of Royal, Black, Scarlet and Copper, all w/the silver stripes.

E-Lacrosse:
I have copper and it's very cool.

Bill Daye:
That's one of the coolest colors out there.

E-Lacrosse:
I know there's a story behind the creation of this glove. A new Brine guy. Maybe even an inspiration to our young readers

Bill Daye:
Yes, Kyle Lamson. He's in our Product Development department. He attended Wentworth Institute of Technology. He also played 4 years of varsity lacrosse. He created a futuristic glove for his senior thesis.

E-Lacrosse:
That's amazing. Did you know right away when you saw it that it would be a great glove.

Bill Daye:
Yes. He's amazing! He interviewed for the job and it was a no-brainer, someone who loves and plays the sport and graduated with an Industrial design degree!

E-Lacrosse:
Did Wentworth know what they had? Did he get an A on the thesis? Obviously you gave him one.

Bill Daye:
He received an A and an award for best thesis project in the program. I gave him an A+.

E-Lacrosse:
Lets move to the 2003 heads . The marquis product in the group is obvious. It stands out visually.

Bill Daye:
The Prophecy. Control X baby!

E-Lacrosse:
Is Control X the blue material and the technology behind it?

Bill Daye:
Yes. It's the best of both worlds. A slightly larger face area so the ball goes in and out of the stick easier and the control X walls give you a "pinching" effect most players are looking for once the ball is in the pocket. A lot of our CPP players are using it. I saw a few on field in the SU - Army game and out in Colorado for the Duke - Denver game.

E-Lacrosse:
CPP is the Brine College Partners. Were you lucky enough to go to Denver?

Bill Daye:
Yes, for the Pioneer Classic. Duke, DU, Manhattan and Air Force!

E-Lacrosse:
Yeah, It sucks to be you Bill.

Bill Daye:
Supporting our Brine teams, my man.

E-Lacrosse:
Uh huh. With all the snow I haven't used the prophecy in a game scenario yet. But just shooting around, it's tight, literally.

Bill Daye:
I tell you - once you break it in it's an unbelievable feeling, like "Butter."

E-Lacrosse:
I can't wait. I just punched it a few times after loosening the sidewalls a bit and it threw well.

E-Lacrosse:
What is the sidewall material in the Control X?

Bill Daye:
It's a Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer

E-Lacrosse:
Thermoplastic looks like gummy.

Bill Daye:
Bears?

E-Lacrosse:
Yeah. Is it very strong?

Bill Daye:
The control X is extremely strong w/a very high tensile strength.

E-Lacrosse:
It has a little give?

Bill Daye:
Yes it does. It's soft enough to cushion the ball while you're cradling but rigid enough to withstand almost anything.

E-Lacrosse:
I've punched it in a lot now and it feels very strong. Will other sticks have the control X as development continues?

Bill Daye:
Yes, we are developing a stick as we speak with improved control X technology.

E-Lacrosse:
On an aesthetic note, the stop is beautiful. Best one I've seen, visually. Is there an advantage to the rubber there instead of foam?

Bill Daye:
It cushions the ball a little more. Otherwise it's cosmetic. And thanks.

E-Lacrosse:
It looks like a V pocket be too much in the prophecy? Some of our readers just put a V in everything. I like three shooters on this, which I think is factory on the Prophecy. A V might be bulky.

Bill Daye:
Actually yes, the way the V-Pocket was tied off to the Control X wall it created a monster whip. Some guys like a lot of whip but the majority of players don't so I changed it to a standard 3 bootlace system. This was actually brought to my attention by Coach Desko, SU was using the Prophecy in practice and some of the guys pointed this out.

E-Lacrosse:
OK this is a question I've always wanted to ask Brine and this head is perfect for it. There are some holes in the scoop that seem decorative, but a kid might string to them. Is it generally cool to do so?

Bill Daye:
Yes the holes are for decoration but a player could choose to use it as additional stringing holes if he wanted to.

E-Lacrosse:
Does the prophecy come in a mesh and a traditional? And what other stringing have you perhaps seen on it so far?

Bill Daye:
I just released it with ultra mesh and mid monster mesh. I'm experimenting with a bunch of different traditional stringing methods now. It's got even a better hold on the ball with a traditional pocket but as you and I know mesh is king right now.

E-Lacrosse:
We started with your top-of-the-line head. It's priced a bit high for some younger players, but you have other new 2003 heads for every budget.

Bill Daye:
Yes we do. The Nitrous is new for this season and it's doing very well. It's a combination of the Edge and a Matrix.

E-Lacrosse:
How much is the Nitrous retail?

Bill Daye:
99 dollars complete. The Nitrous has the pinched lower rail similar to the Matrix but not as severe (FYI - we opened the Matrix back walls last season) and it has the feel of the edge with the amount of offset it has.

E-Lacrosse:
A classic feel. I liked it at the show.

Bill Daye:
Exactly, I love the Edge. The Nitrous is our 2nd lightest stick next to the Cyber; it's a great face-off stick because of the angled lower sidewall. It allows for the head to slip under a straight edge sidewall. And, in mid-April be on the lookout for the Mini Nitrous! It's for kids or guys like me who can't get enough lax! Small ball 25" shaft with a real Nitrous head scaled down to size!

E-Lacrosse:
Speaking of the show, You were swamped. What was the response and what was obviously going to be a hit?

Billy show off the UNC glove at the 2003 Convention

Bill Daye:
There was a lot of buzz about our hero products, the Prophecy, the Tenacity (women's stick) and the SuperCrosse glove.

E-Lacrosse:
I think the ventilator arm pads were popular.

Bill Daye:
The Ventilator Arms are doing extremely well and I'll be delivering colors to retail stores within the next week or so. Check out the pictures of SU and UVA, they are wearing the royal and orange; navy and orange ones and the rest of our CPP teams will be in them soon.

E-Lacrosse:
I have the smoke on black and they got lots of comments in Holland. They are comfy and took the checks. Not even scratched.

Bill Daye:
The Ventilator AG's were modeled off of the old school LAP4, the old vinyl dip ones. The protection is focused more on the outside of the arm and on top; these are the areas that is more susceptible to checks.

E-Lacrosse:
So you guys love SU, but if SU played NC who would Bill Daye root for?

Bill Daye:
I would obviously root for UNC; no doubt about it. I love Coach D and the boys but I bleed Carolina Blue.

E-Lacrosse:
And settle a popular debate these days

Bill Daye:
What debate would that be?

E-Lacrosse:
Cause you went to UNC, live in New England and grew up in the middle, correct?

Bill Daye:
Yeah. I grew up on LI. I've heard it also referred to as Strong Island.

E-Lacrosse:
With snow all over, is it an advantage to the northern teams as they are used to pre-season in bad weather? Practices have been limited down here.

Bill Daye:
Yes. They've been limited for everyone, so the playing field has been leveled a bit this year.

E-Lacrosse:
You thought I was gonna ask you who played the best lax, but we both know the next superstar is coming from anywhere, from Utah to Florida. Or Denver!

Bill Daye:
No doubt about it! Lax is on the rise across the US and the next player could be coming from Salt Lake City, Denver, Texas, Detroit, California, you name it!

E-Lacrosse:
Brine's always been known for protective. What's up in shoulder pads these days?

Bill Daye:
In today's game protection is the most important feature we focus on when developing equipment. New this season is the Ventilator shoulder pad, which was designed similar to the Arm Guard. Very low profile pad w/ventilation directly to the skin and maximum coverage

E-Lacrosse:
A lax helmet is not made to hit with. Are shoulder pads designed for a bit of offensive hitting as well?

Bill Daye:
Shoulder pads are designed to protect you from stick and body checks.

E-Lacrosse:
Tell me more about the pad lines. The X-Factor is a time tested line now and very popular. What is the difference between the gel models and the regular models?

Bill Daye:
The Gel glove is by far our most popular glove, the cuff is more flexible than the X-factor. The rotator cuff consists of two pieces as opposed to the X-Factor's 3 piece cuff. The Gel shoulder pad is a little more low profile than the X-Factor and the gel is placed in critical areas and is used as an impact absorber.

E-Lacrosse:
I see the gloves everywhere. And I still see the edge out there. It's still on the market. Is it still the most offset stick?

Bill Daye:
It sets the bar. It's unbelievable how many Edges you still see out on the field today even with all the new sticks in the market. We measure our offset in degrees. The Edge is a 20 degree offset which is the max. But the Nitrous, Matrix and Vapor all have a 20 degree offset too.

A Classic: The original Edge design

E-Lacrosse:
Is that 20 degrees from perpendicular with the shaft?

Bill Daye:
It's measured from the center line of the shaft.

E-Lacrosse:
If I'm a kid who hasn't played lacrosse and I want to outfit cheaply and with good quality, what's the Brine kit you recommend?

Bill Daye:
It's different for each kid. A few of our Brine dealers put together affordable starter kits. They should ask a dealer to outfit them in Brine and give them a budget and they will help. They would likely be guided towards our Avalanche or Trident product lines. The Avalanche line is a great price point line. All the products in this family are great for beginners or 2-3 year players. For beginners the Trident series is a great glove to get started with. It' not expensive and it's very flexible and protective for the price you're paying. We introduced a new stick this season at the $39.99 price point with a modified offset, the Radius. It's done extremely well. This is the first season of that top to bottom in our stick line is all offset.

E-Lacrosse:
There are a few other heads in that price range too.

Bill Daye:
Yes. Two are the Harpoon at $34.99 and the Blaze at $29.99. Both are modified offset sticks for beginners. The great thing about the modified offset is that players start getting used to offset but at a slower pace. The ball comes out a lot sooner than the higher priced sticks w/the full offset. These also have a slightly larger face so it's easier to catch with. The Blaze has the widest face, then it narrows a little on the Harpoon and it gets tighter on the Radius.

E-Lacrosse:
Ok. We've all seen the ads. What is Rhino Skin?

Bill Daye:
Rhinoskin is a unique combination of breathable protective padding w/a moisture management shirt. It's available in short sleeve and sleeveless versions and it's very lightweight; it's the complete body pad system.

E-Lacrosse:
The Rhino skin ads were everywhere last year. It was a good ad.

Bill Daye:
Thanks, Shelby Hodgkins works closely with the lax team to get those ads completed and delivered on time.

E-Lacrosse:
Over the last two years Brine has had very good television and print ads. Does that make your job easier? Or more fun?

Bill Daye:
I'm not sure it makes my job easier, but it definitely helps create brand awareness for the products we're developing. It is a lot of fun being a part of the team that creates these ads.

FREE BRINE AD WALLPAPER

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E-Lacrosse:
I know you're pretty set for a stick connection, but if you didn't have that job, would you eat a worm for a Cyber?

Bill Daye:
Definitely!

Another great print ad

E-Lacrosse:
I gather contextually that CPP teams like Syracuse are closely involved in development ie. Kevin Donahue, the actual probable inventor of the V pocket might have a lot of input. Is that helpful to have experts getting early looks and making comment on products.

Bill Daye:
Yes, you are correct. The partnerships we have with our college teams have unmeasured value. We have arguably the best players using our equipment, testing it and giving us feedback on it. Coach Donahue does a lot of the stringing for the SU players, so he is truly an expert when you consider it. I wish I knew how many SU All-Americans, past and present used a stick strung by Coach Donahue. Hey that's a good trivia question!

E-Lacrosse:
Would you change a product if the feedback merited it from a team? And have you?

Bill Daye:
Yes. Earlier I spoke about one example; the Prophecy shooting string change from V pocket to three bootlaces. That was a direct result from feedback from SU.

E-Lacrosse:
That's right. Are you guys releasing any new shafts this year?

Bill Daye:
Our newest innovation in shafts is the Flip Grip shaft which is available in C405 and Titanium. Its name is unique because you can actually flip the shaft over to your liking, either skinny in the front and fat in the back or vice versa. It's been getting unbelievable responses, on the chat boards, etc. Players are digging the Flip Grip! Our lightest shaft is the F55 Superlight; C555 material, it weighs in around 150-160 grams. Next are the Flip Grip and the F22, both C405 alloys. The F15 and F15 powergrip shafts are excellent for strength to weight ratio and the quality you get for your money. The Titanium powergrip shaft does very well and is popular for the players who prefer the sharp corners vs. rounded corners.

E-Lacrosse:
I love the powergrip feel.

Bill Daye:
Most of the players who make the switch to the powergrip are never using anything else.

E-Lacrosse:
The new Flip Grip has similar edges, correct?

Bill Daye:
The edges on the flip grip aren't as sharp as the powergrip but there is a slight similarity in the feel.

The Flip Grip Limited Edition

E-Lacrosse:
What's new on the keeper scene, stuff for goalies? I know that's important to you. Any of our readers who are 1st year players may not know that you were one of the best keepers in the game over the last decade or so.

Bill Daye:
Thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it. The Xtreme is starting to gain acceptance amongst some of the top goalies, it's the first and only offset goalie head that leans forward and as a result gives up less rebounds.

E-Lacrosse:
Leans forward? Meaning in puts the ball down to the crease instead of out at stick level for a Bobby Benson to put right back at you?

Bill Daye:
Yahtzee! Or high shots are driven down into the pocket instead of bouncing out.

E-Lacrosse:
How does this affect passing? Is less whip needed? Or I should say sack, not whip? Quicker out of the stick, I would imagine.

Bill Daye:
It doesn't affect it at all but it does take some time getting used to yes. Less of a bag is needed, but we're goalies. We love having that bag!

E-Lacrosse:
Every one else on the field is jealous of the bag.

Bill Daye:
Yes they would all love to have the bags that we carry around!

Bill Daye:
The X-Factor Gel goalie is the same sweet glove with a padded up thumb to protect from those blistering shots!

E-Lacrosse:
Don't you wish you had that in college? Speaking of college, what goalies catch your eye in college these days?

Bill Daye:
Well, I haven't watched too much lax yet, it's still early in the season but some names that come to mind who should be filling up the box scores with double digits are Danny McCormick, Paul Spellman, Jay Pfeifer, Tillman Johnson and Jake McKenna from Harvard

E-Lacrosse:
I saw Rob Scherr look great at Princeton this weekend, and McCormick looked good Sunday from what I heard. TJ is for real. He was unstoppable at the Ocean City Tournament this summer. Who's the best in the world - with you hurt and all.

E-Lacrosse:
After retirement you can no longer fear that question

Bill Daye:
Wow tough question.......since I'm out of the game now, and so is Sal I would have to say Cat, Doc and Carc are leading the way. Cat's got the prize that everyone else wants so basically he's top dog right now!

E-Lacrosse:
If I say a keeper's name, will you respond a take on their game? I think our readers will enjoy it.

Bill Daye:
Sure.

E-Lacrosse:
Locascio?

Bill Daye:
A legend. One of the best pure stoppers to ever play the game.

E-Lacrosse:
Mulligan (Rob of Syracuse)?

Bill Daye:
Robby was an impressive leader for that defense. He always came up with the big save.

The generous Lax World / Brine mesh kit

E-Lacrosse:
Koudelka (Jim of NJ Pride, Head Coach at Lynchburg)?

Bill Daye:
I first saw Steve at US Tryouts back in 1997, never heard of him or anything. That's when I found out who Steve koudelka was, for his size he's a great stopper but he's even better outside of the cage

E-Lacrosse:
Mule (Pronounced Myoolay, Jim from LI Lacrosse Club, NY Saints, World Cup Team USA)

Bill Daye:
Jimmy stops the ball, plain and simple. It may not be pretty but there's nothing in the job description that says it has to be.

E-Lacrosse:
Tierney (Trevor of Princeton)?

Bill Daye:
I remember shooting on Trevor at Princeton camp when he was really young. We were bringing the heat and he was standing strong, some would fly by him and some he would barely see, I knew he was going to be something special from that day on.

E-Lacrosse:
Eric Miller (Salisbury, Denver Mammoth, Baltimore Bayhawks)

Bill Daye:
When did E get so sick in box?

E-Lacrosse:
He looked great backing up Devin Dalep with the Power last year when he had the chance and this year they started him.

Bill Daye:
To be a good field goalie is one thing, but to go inside and dominate is another.

E-Lacrosse:
He was the E-Lacrosse keeper this summer and we went undefeated in the Maryland league, then he got picked up by the Bayhawks three days before the championship and we lost our only game.

Bill Daye:
That stinks.

E-Lacrosse:
No sour grapes though. How about LaMonica (Chris of Team USA)?

Bill Daye:
Chris worked hard to get where he is today, hats off to him. It's tough to stay consistent at that level when you're playing a club game one day a week.

E-Lacrosse:
Spruyt (Mark of Hofstra)?

Bill Daye:
Mark is the next star in the MLL, I wish I had that wing span when i was making spilt saves!

E-Lacrosse:
Carc?

Bill Daye:
I love my man Carc! I recruited him when I was at Hopkins. He's constantly full of energy, always talking. And for his size he does a very good job at keeping the ball out of the net. It just proves that goalies can be of any size and get the job done and then some.

E-Lacrosse:
Eliuk (box keeper for Philly for our field only readers)

Bill Daye:
Dallas is very acrobatic and it's tough with all that equipment. He's an unbelievable stopper. I love watching him play the indoor game!

LoCascio, Eliuk and Cattrano, immortalized on trading cards

E-Lacrosse:
Tommy Sears (UNC)?

E-Lacrosse:
Are you old enough for Tommy Sears?

Bill Daye:
Tommy Sears is getting his number retired this weekend at UNC along with Dennis Goldstein and Tommy Haus. He was sick! What an accomplishment huh? Having your collegiate number retired?

E-Lacrosse:
He was all that for the Cinderella champions, along with Haus and Burnett and Wingate. Goldstein was later, of course, and was amazing. Who was your hero as a high school kid or younger?

Bill Daye:
I was a big fan of Brian Wood (Hopkins Attackman), Peter Sheehan (Virginia Goalie), Joey Seivold (UNC Attackman), Roddy Marino (UVA Attackman) when I first fell in love with the game. As I started to play and become more of a defensive minded player I looked up to Petro (Dave Pietramala of Hopkins, now Coach at same), and as a goalie Schimoler (Paul, of Syracuse) Locasio and Quinn.

E-Lacrosse:
I loved Larry Quinn and saw him play many games at the Hop. He and Mike Federico were my favorites growing up.

Bill Daye:
I saw Larry Quinn make a sick save against SU, I think at Brown, and hit a middie breaking up the field 30-35 yards from his knees!

Bill Daye:
I also really admired Quint (Kessenich of Hopkins) for coming in as a freshman and winning a Championship. It's a tough mind set to get in there so quickly and really step it up a notch like he did.

E-Lacrosse:
I Loved watching Quint play the game. I saw him try out for the Thunder as a runner and he is tough. He was hitting and shooting and playing pretty good D against Frye and Kip and many of the guys. He was platooning with Doc for Toyota in the USCLA three years ago. That was a nice tandem unit.

Bill Daye:
One common trait about every name we mentioned is toughness.

E-Lacrosse:
Agreed.

E-Lacrosse:
Ok. Last but not least, One of the sticks I still use is a 2002 stick, the Vapor. Did this one do well?

Bill Daye:
Yes for a $70 retail stick, it does very well. A few of our CPP players use the stick; it's a pretty good face off stick too.

E-Lacrosse:
Love it.

Bill Daye:
That's the reaction I hear from a lot of Brine Stick users.

E-Lacrosse:
So life is pretty good, Bill?

Bill Daye:
Life is great; coming up on my 1 year anniversary of marriage, I have a great job, I enjoy the people I work with and I love lacrosse! What else could a lax player ask for?

BUY A BRINE PROPHECY or SUPERCROSSE GLOVES NOW!

Funniest Chat outtake:

Bill Daye:
Are you like a super duper slow typer or are you just chilling out?

(long delay)

Bill Daye:
Dream Weaver (E-Lacrosse editor, John Weaver)?

E-Lacrosse:
I'm having some computer problem. I hate computers.

March 5, 2003