by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
The National Lacrosse League began play last week. Zed Williams scored a goal in the season opening 14-4 win for the Georgia Swarm vs. the Rochester Knighthawks.
The Georgia Swarm selected Zed Williams in the First Round (No. 4 overall) of the 2017 National Lacrosse League Draft. He is a 24 yr. old, 6-3, 230 lb. offense player and shoots right. Zed played last summer with the MLL’s Boston Cannons. He also played for the Silver Medalist Iroquois Nationals at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships 2019 (WILC’19). Zed recorded 52 points during his collegiate senior season at the University of Virginia in 2017 plus other noteworthy honors.
“I am from the Cattaragus Reservation of the Seneca Nation. My parents are the late Dan Sr. and Wendy Williams and they live on the Cattaragus Reservation.” The Cattaragus Reservation is located just south of Buffalo, NY.
“I was raised very disciplined and tough and strived to be my best in everything I did,” said Zed. “I come from a family of five brothers, two sisters and three half-brothers. Our parents are our heroes and my whole family including my wife and kids are all my heroes. When I play, I’m not out there for myself. I’m out there to bring out the smiles on my loved ones faces and everyone who is cheering me on.”
“Beside my whole family, I’ve had a coach named Rob Genco who coached me my whole life and took me under his wing and helped shape the man I am today,” added Zed.
Zed attended Silver Creek HS in NY. He broke two national career high school records in goals (444), and points (729) and also had 285 career assists. He was an Under Armour All American and helped lead Silver Creek to five consecutive Class C Sectional titles.
Rob Genco was the lacrosse coach at Silver Creek HS. He was also the physical education teacher. Rob is not unlike any other physical education teacher that contacts varsity coaches when potential athletes are noticed in the elementary or middle school grades. “I noticed him in the fourth grade when I got mini-lacrosse sticks for our gym class,” said Rob. “He had great stick skills and hand-eye coordination. I told other people to watch this kid in fourth grade and he’s going to be a great player. This kids a wizard.”
“Zed was moved up from the eighth grade to varsity lacrosse team,” said Rob. “He was the centerpiece our senior year and everyone prospered. He led the lacrosse, football and basketball teams to post-season play.”
“Zed has been a big part of my life,” said Rob. “We talked on the phone last night for two hours. He is the godfather of our 3-yr. old son Jordan. Zed is someone who is not only great as a player, but also great as a person. He plays at the highest level and has brought our community together. He visits our school when he comes home. Zed and Chase give hope that the goal is attainable.”
“Zed fits the Swarm mold,” said John J. Arlotta, Owner and General Manager, Georgia Swarm. “He has high character and when we drafted him that is what we look for. He’s not just athletic … he’s big, strong, quick and athletic. He is a great young man who values his family and playing for the Creator. Talent and character is who the Swarm are after.”
Stew Monture, offense coach for the Iroquois Nationals, said: “Zed is one of the best lacrosse player’s in the world in my opinion. He was raised right and he’s honest and humble. He doesn’t need any accolades. He’s the total teammate.”
“The WILC’19 was his coming out party, so to speak, where he stood out amongst the best in the world. Again I believe he’s one of the best players at the world level right now and he is still improving at his age. His mother and late father really kept him and his siblings close and it translates on the floor. We could ask him to play offense, defense, or on the faceoff team, and he had no problem with doing any of that. He isn’t a one-dimensional player by any means, we can put him in any situation and he did it with a smile on his face,” added Coach Stew.
“Lacrosse has taken my family and I all over the world,” said Zed. “I have made relationships to last a lifetime and helped me grow as a person by interacting with so many different humans on this earth. I will always be thankful for this game and all the opportunities and blessing it has presented me with.”
“I’m not one to remember my accomplishments, to me it’s always about my next game and how I can get better,” added Zed.
Being humble is a cultural value of many indigenous people. Although having an accomplished career, one does not boast of the honors that coincide with being an elite athlete. The accomplishments are tremendous and fit the person who has them perfectly. Zed was mentioned in the Oct. 2010 issue of Inside Lacrosse “as a young Iroquois player to keep on your radar.” The past decade was impressive in the direction that Zed has been moving toward.
Zed had a stellar tenure at the University of Virginia and the progression from first year freshman to senior year was astounding. He was the first player in the nation in 2017 to reach the 20-20, 30-30, 40-40, and 50-50 levels in points and ground balls. His recognition included being All-ACC, USILA/BSN DI Offensive National Player of the Week twice, and ACC Offensive Player of the Week, and USILA All American.
“I go down to the field and box and see players with as much talent as Chase Scanlan and Zed at their ages,” said Rob. “The older guys are proud of them. Chase and Zed had doors open for them with the right support. The older guys and Chase and Zed are paving the way for kids in the territory. We have a great community here. I’m taking my fourth grade lacrosse team to see Chase at his first game at Syracuse.”
Ed Comeau is the head coach of the Georgia Swam. He is in his fifth season with the Swarm and has spent 18 years coaching in the National Lacrosse League. Comeau led the team to a league-best 13-5 regular season record and a Champion’s Cup in 2017. Coach Ed commented: “Zed has developed over his two years with us. In the first year we asked him to perform a role he hadn’t done before. He accepted that role and worked hard and last year he went back to offence and did an excellent job. Based on his progression we expect Zed to be an integral part of our offence this season. Brings great physicality to the offensive zone and works hard to get others open and is unselfish. His strength allows him to create his own shot while being difficult to guard one-on-one as a threat.”
Check out Zed Williams profile page for the Georgia Swarm: https://www.georgiaswarm.com/players/player?id=10514121&postid=4169
Photo Credit: Kyle Hess
