GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING, College Crosse Nation! Thanks for making us a part of your day! Here’s everything you need to know for September 18, 2018.

College Crosse News

Major League Lacrosse announced some major changes yesterday, including increasing the salary cap by 51%. You can learn more about the new deal here from US Lacrosse.

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) today announced that its owners voted unanimously to approve three significant changes to the league, all designed to invest in its players and further enhance the quality of competition on the field. The owners voted to approve an increase in the salary cap, an expansion of the game schedule, and the addition of one player to the Game Day Active Roster (GDAR).

“The unanimous vote by the owners is a pivotal statement in terms of their support for our agenda going forward,” said Alexander Brown, commissioner of MLL. “MLL maintains the absolute best players in the game of lacrosse, period. Our owners’ investment and endorsement will ensure that the competition in our league will continue to be the pinnacle of our sport.”

The MLL owners voted to increase the salary cap by 51 percent, enabling players to make a salary in line with the product they are putting on the field. Raising the salary cap will allow more players the financial freedom to dedicate themselves to the game and to the sport, and will ensure a higher level of competition.

The league will also expand the schedule by two games, with each team now playing 16 matches per season. This change will give players more chances to compete and it will provide fans with additional opportunities to see their favorite players in action.

I think this is a great step by the MLL to address some of the major issues that plague the League. You can’t expect the best players in the world to be fully committed to the League if you pay them a pittance of what they are worth. MLL is not perfect and neither are these changes, but one shouldn’t let perfect be the enemy of the good. These are sound moves by Commissioner Brown, and the League should be lauded for investing in its best asset, its players.

Oh boy: JMU lacrosse coach apologizes for public intoxication charge.

The head coach of women’s lacrosse at James Madison University, Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe, was cited for public swearing or intoxication early Saturday morning.

The misdemeanor charge comes just two weeks after Klaes-Bawcombe signed a 4-year contract extension with the school, following a historic 22-1 season capped by the program’s first national championship.

She was named IWLCA Division I National Coach of the Year and ILWomen Division I Coach of the Year for the season and also voted Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year for the third straight season.

The 2018 season is her 13th in Harrisonburg.

In a statement issued to the school, she apologized to staff members at the school, saying, “I have communicated the issues concerning my actions this weekend and have extended my sincere regrets to Jeff Bourne, Charlie King and President Alger. I further would like to apologize to our student-athletes and everyone associated with the JMU lacrosse program. Even though I was celebrating a National Championship with friends, it is my responsibility to set the tone for our program, and I fell short of that responsibility with my behavior.”

Clarke University stunts on everybody with this drone video of their new multi-million dollar lacrosse field.

Jacksonville loves the environment!

Here’s a short video of Penn State getting after it.

This looks incredibly difficult.

That’s a nice looking wall you got there, Rosemont.

US Lacrosse adds new safety features to protect players from abuse.

US Lacrosse, the national governing body for lacrosse, considers player safety to be among its highest priorities. This responsibility includes working diligently to protect athletes from abuse within the sports environment. Fueled by this commitment, US Lacrosse is adding two new requirements to all adult coach memberships -- a national background screening and online SafeSport training. The national background check will go into effect with all coach membership purchases and renewals on and after October 14, 2018. The online training course will be launched on that date or soon thereafter. Both of these requirements will be provided at no additional cost to members.

Truly blessed.

What’s Up, PhilaJersey?

Now THAT’S a headline: How to eat your way through Philadelphia in 24 Hours.

Philadelphia may be best known for its greasy cheesesteaks and technicolored water ice, but there’s so much more to eat in the City of Brotherly Love. To get the full picture, read through Eater’s City Guide. But if one day in Philly is all that’s on the agenda, consider forgoing the city’s famous foodstuffs in favor of some newer classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start north of Center City in the rapidly evolving Fishtown neighborhood, where the main drag is lined with several of Philadelphia’s hottest restaurants and bars. From there you’ll need to take a cab or car service or ride a bike to the historic district, known as Old City. The rest of the itinerary is relatively walkable, though you’ll definitely be covering a lot of ground. Get going early and wear elastic-waist pants.

World/National News

Oops: Cat knocks out power to 7,500 residents in New Orleans.

A cat got into a utility company substation and came into contact with electrical equipment, knocking out electricity to more than 7,500 New Orleans customers. Entergy New Orleans said on its website and in social media posts that it happened Monday morning. New Orleans news outlets said the outage happened around 8:30 a.m. Power had been fully restored by midday. The outage affected part of the city’s central business district, and some other neighborhoods.

Your GIF/Video for September 18, 2018

Queen Blunt looks great in the new Mary Poppins trailer.

That’s it for today!! I’ll see you out there!! Make sure you follow us on social media!

Twitter: @College_Crosse

iTunes: College Crossecast, Across College Lacrosse

Facebook: College Crosse

Instagram: @College_Crosse

Managing Editors: Safe Fekadu, Chris Jastrzembski, Ryan McDonnell