Where Are They Now?

     CJ Witalisz can still painfully recall his last game playing for the Westfield Cranx as if it took place yesterday. 

     “It was the PVLL Championship in 1996 against Longmeadow.  We took the game and all the great players they had that year into the final minute down only one goal.  In those last seconds, I took a perfect pass and released the shot.  It passed the goalie’s stick and right shoulder…and hit the crossbar.  We lost the game.”

 

     CJ was a playmaker and scoring machine as an attackman  for the Westfield Bombers from 1989-92, leading the team in point production his junior and senior years.  After his All-Western Mass high school career, CJ played for two seasons on the nationally ranked UMass club team. 

     During these years, Witalisz was recruited by, and joined the Cranx after only his sophomore year at WHS.  A high school player on the Cranx roster was unprecedented at that time, and it remains a rarity today.  But CJ’s advanced skills and dedication to the sport made him a perfect fit for Team Cranx, bringing along his scoring prowess to lead a potent offensive team for seven years.

 

     Today, Witalisz lives in Wilmington, MA with his wife of seven years, Kristine (pictured left), and their two sons Evan and Jake.  Even though he retired from competitive lacrosse after that ’96 championship loss (“making me 0-for-lifetime against Longmeadow”), CJ has not locked away or thrown out his lacrosse equipment.  He has done what every responsible parent does in raising sons - passing on the sport of lacrosse, not only genetically but tutorially.

 

 

 Jake & Evan Witalisz - Working on their game 

 

      “I’m taking cues from the teachings of Todd Marinovich’s father on how to raise a professional athlete” laughs Witalisz.  “There’s no pressure on the boys.”  CJ may not be as carried away as Marv Marinovich was with his son in attempting to raise a “Robo-Athlete”, but at the ages of five and two, Evan and Jake are already showing signs of having stick skills well beyond their years.  “They’re still too young to play competitively, but we still play, in the backyard, downstairs, anywhere.”

 

     CJ has played in two Bomber/Cranx alumni games, and plans on playing again in this year’s game.  “I cherish the times I spent with every lacrosse player I played with throughout my playing career” he says.  And as far as any advice he can pass on to the current crop of Westfield players, Witalisz implores, “Keep playing no matter how busy you get or how old you may be.  After that, be sure to pass it on to the little ones.”

 

     For CJ Witalisz, he’s doing just that, using his knowledge and love of the game to help the youth.  Paving the way so others will be able to beat the Longmeadows of lacrosse.

 

 

     Where are They Now?

 

     Historians of sport will promptly answer that the term “Murderer’s Row" refers to the New York Yankees of the 1920’s and their awesome hitting lineup.  At one time in Westfield Cranx history, that nickname was resurrected.  Only in place of the names Ruth and Gehrig were the names Flynn and Butler.  And this time, the crushing power of strength was applied with the help of a lacrosse stick in hand, instead of a baseball bat.

 

     Mike Flynn (Class of ’83) anchored the Westfield High School defense at a time when there was a bigger selection of Van Halen albums than there were lacrosse heads, and the choice of a shaft was limited to either aluminum or wood.

     “Finesse and artistry wasn’t a big part of the game back then, compared to later years”, the 42 year-old Flynn said.  “Nor was it much a part of my own game.  I would say that strength, punishment, and intimidation came first, and everything else came second.”  But for Flynner, the skill of playing defense caught up to the brawn in his play after high school, where he had stints playing at Army and Umass.  “But you can always find the opportunity to lay someone out” he says.  “That is what’s most fun about playing lax.”

 

     Though five years his junior, Tim Butler possessed many of the same advanced skills as Flynner, not the least of which was an “enforcer” mentality.  Given the fact Flynn was Butler’s defensive coach for a season at WHS, this comes as no surprise.  It also gave way to Flynn bestowing upon Butler the nickname “Rodney”, which has stuck for two decades.  But if there was a mentor/protégé relationship at one time, Rodney was never overshadowed by his teacher. 

     While still a member of the high school team, Butler was selected to play for the Cranx, pairing up with Flynn to help form lacrosse’s edition of Murderer’s Row.  As Ruth and Gehrig instilled fear into opposing pitchers, Butler and Flynn did the same for opposing attackmen with a vast array of brutal body and stick checking.  Specifically, Rodney recalls a scenario during a PVLL post-season tournament in 1989:

     Before the current playoff system was adopted, a daylong tournament was held to crown a champion.  At day’s end, Longmeadow and Westfield ended up tied for first place.  “But they refused to play us (in a tie-breaker)” said Butler, “and ended up winning the tournament by default due to goal differential or some BS.  Bottom line, they were afraid to play us.”

 

     After graduating from WHS in 1988, Rodney continued his stellar career at WNEC, helping to establish the program’s foundation of success.  He continued to play for the Cranx throughout college and a few years afterward, racking up impressive stats for takeaways, bruised bodies, and penalty minutes.  Rodney currently lives in New York City where he works in investment banking as a director of trading.

     Both Flynner and Rodney plan on returning to Westfield for the 5th annual Bomber/Cranx alumni game later this summer.  It would reunite for the first time in many years, a distinguished defensive tandem unsurpassed by any other in Cranx history.  However, having the two replicate their signature style of play from yesteryear may be a stretch.  Nevertheless, Murderer’s Row - the Cranx version - will live on forever.    

 

Where Are They Now?

     The Beatles had it because of John Lennon.  The current Red Sox have it in Jason Varitek.  And the Patriots have it with Teddy Bruschi.  Any team or group that achieves success usually holds it as a requirement.  Vince Lombardi said of it: “Some guys play with their heads, and that’s okay. But more importantly, you've got to play with your heart.”  

     For nine years throughout the ‘90s and early ‘00s, the heart of the Westfield Cranx teams was goaltender Will Pierce.  With a combination of stellar goalkeeping talent and a magnetic personality, Pierce was not only the defensive backbone of many Cranx teams, but also its identity. 

     “Very few players, past or present, are as identifiable to what the name Cranx represents" says player/coach Chris Roberts of Pierce’s contribution and dedication to the franchise.  “Willie will be 98 years old and on his deathbed...and I bet he’ll have on a Westfield Cranx jersey.” 

Where Are They Now?

    

     When the Green Bay Packers and their fans of the 21st century reflect upon their storied franchise, the names Starr, Nitschke, and Horning usually come to mind.  When the subject of the history of Westfield Lacrosse comes up, and always after alumni games, the name John Olinski usually begins that conversation.

    

     Westfield High School began its lacrosse program in the mid '70s, but it was the class of '81 that first put Westfield and lacrosse on the Western Mass map.  Led by midfielder John Olinski, the Bombers began to sow the seed for the long and standing tradition that is Westfield Lax today.  With only three other western-mass schools playing the sport, it was the teams that Olinski played on that established the fierce rivalry with Longmeadow that still exists thirty years later.  

     "I think there was a game in my junior year", Olinski laughingly recalls, "when we didn't lose to them by more than six goals."  Though the Bombers at that time lacked the overall skill and experience to compete with the Lancers, it was then where the Bombers began to solidify a reputation for toughness.  Known as an end-to-end style clearer and scorer, the 6'2" midfielder wasn't shy about laying down his share of lumber on the field either.  The result was defining in Westfield history: You may beat us at the finesse game, but you'll never beat us at the physical game. 

    

     John's next stop was the University of Lowell, where he starred and captained the team along with his Bomber classmate, Mike Parody.  As a senior he was selected All New England, and played in the East-West All Star game in 1985.  He played on the first (formerly known as) Westfield Lacrosse Club team, and played for three years from 1984-87.

 

     John lives in Westfield with his wife of 18 years, Leighann, and their children Scott, Lauren, and Matthew.  He works as a Senior Medical Technologist, and had officiated lacrosse for 13 years up until last year. 

 

     John has played in the first two Cranx/Bomber alumni games, and hopes to return for the next one.  "I had a torn meniscus last year" he said.  "Hopefully the body cooperates this year and my fellow 1981 WHS grads, Parody, (Pete) Nassar, and Lippy (John Liptak) can make it." 

     Having spent most of his life involved in the sport, as a player and contributor, Olinski encourages others to do the same:  "Play as long as you can or as long as you still enjoy the game, and extend your love of lacrosse to the younger players in the youth programs."   

 

 

 

    "The lacrosse field is the only place in the world that one can inflict as much pain as humanly possible on another individual…legally!".  

     These sentiments spoken recently by Sean Flynn speak volumes to the personality and philosophy the Cranx alumnus brought to the field during his playing days.  The Terry O'Reilly-type football and lacrosse standout of Westfield High School's class of '90 may have long since traded in his turf cleats for running shoes and mountain boots, but he still remembers his lax days with fondness. 
    "I think back on all of it with only great memories. I truly think the Cranx days were more memorable, fun and competitive than any of my lacrosse experiences."

 

     The 35-year old Flynn lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife of four years, Sunny.  He is an account manager there, and is awaiting the birth of his firstborn due this summer.

    

     As a Bomber, Sean excelled as a midfielder and attackman known mostly as his team's top offensive threat.  But his knack for putting an opposing player into the ground was as equally impressive as his ability to put the ball in the net.  He then continued this prowess as a member of the Cranx for five years.

 

     These days, Sean continues to beat upon the athletic path.  Always the versatile sportsman, Flynn's current lifestyle is still packed with fitness and athletics.  His choice of geographic residence allows for a lot of skiing in the winter, mountain biking and mountain climbing in the summer, and regular running all year long.  

     Sean has not yet been able to get back for a Cranx alumni game, but he assures us that one day he will.  "Probably not this year as my baby will be only a few months old", Flynn said.  "But I'll always remember the bonds I formed with all of the guys from the different age groups both on and off the field.  Exceptional!".