Barry Powless is the National Lacrosse League’s new Vice President/Lacrosse Operations, Commissioner John Livsey announced today. Powless, among other tasks, is responsible for player/team supplemental discipline, heading the NLL’s Central Scouting Bureau, developing and overseeing clinics, identifying a player pool and player development opportunities, and assisting in new market development. He will also supervise the referees and work closely with NLL Director of Officials Ron Wicks.
“We felt it was very important to identify a strong individual with a background in lacrosse and Barry was a perfect fit for our needs,” Mr. Livsey said. “We are very fortunate to have him.” Powless was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Association Hall of Fame two months ago. Over the course of his 21-year playing career, he made a combined ten appearances in the President’s and Mann Cup championships. Powless also participated in international competition, playing for the Iroquois National team at the 1990 World Field Lacrosse Championships in Perth, Australia.
In addition, he played and coached pro indoor lacrosse. In 1992 the now 42-year old was a member of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League World Champion Buffalo Bandits, when he registered three assists in three games. The Syracuse University product moved on to the coaching ranks with the expansion Rochester Knighthawks in 1995, taking that team to the World Championship Game, which they lost on the road in overtime to the defending MILL champions (Philadelphia). Two years later he was back in the title game against the defending MILL champions, again on the road, but this time victorious as his K’Hawks defeated Buffalo 15-12 for the 1997 title.
Powless also has filmwork on his résumé, having appeared in the 1991 feature film “Last of the Mohicans” which starred Daniel Day Lewis and Madeleine Stowe as well as 1992’s made-for-TV movie “Broken Chain”, starring Pierce Brosnan. In 1997 Powless was a Production Assistant for the historical documentary “The Witness”. Powless replaces Jim Cahill who left to pursue an opportunity outside of sports.