The Minnesota Swarm pro lacrosse team held media availability today with a couple of players, including first-round draft pick Zack Greer. As part of an expanding net here at RandBall, we will from time to time -- perhaps on a weekly basis once the Swarm's season starts in mid-January -- incorporate some lacrosse news in this space for the die-hards that love the sport and for folks who might be curious about it.

In any event, Greer, 23, seems like an interesting character. He is among 30 players vying for a spot on the Canadian National Lacrosse Team roster that will compete at the 2010 FIL World Lacrosse Championships in England. He scored 248 career goals in college, playing three-plus years at Duke and another year at Bryant. And yes, that three-plus years factors in 2006 -- the year of the now-infamous Duke lacrosse scandal during which three players (Greer was not among them) were charged with rape. Ultimately, all charges were dropped, but the year had a profound impact on Greer.

"The big thing I learned from that is about loyalty, commitment and dedication," he said Tuesday. "You find out a lot about people when they face adversity. I think that team and those families, what we went through, really stuck together through that and showed our true character. Obviously it was a tough time and a lot of stuff was hyped up in the media that may or may not have been been true. Obviously it turned out in the end that wasn't true. But to be able to stick together, that group of guys, and the lacrosse family at Duke, is something I'm going to keep with me and will help me in the future, I think."

The Swarm is banking heavily on the Whitby, Ont., native. A prime example: "Section 88," a ticket package and marketing campaign centered around Greer (who wears No. 88). Greer said he thinks he's up to the challenge.

"I'd like to think the past couple years I've been trained to start dealing with pressure," Greer said. "Coming in here with the third overall pick and having something like that going on, there is some pressure. I'd like to think I'll be able to deal with it."