Two-time champion Tyler Warner announces his retirement
By Adam Lamberti | Jan 30, 2024
Maryland Whipsnakes defensive midfielder Tyler Warner announced his retirement from professional lacrosse on Monday. Warner released the following statement on Twitter:
“The game of lacrosse, the medicine game, has been nothing short of a blessing in my life. And so it is with a full heart, that I announce my retirement. Picking up a stick in 4th grade, I never could have imagined that this game would take me to the places I’ve been and allow me to experience some of the happiest times of my life.
From growing up and playing the game with my friends in Baldwin, to playing on the summer circuit with FLG, to four formative years at Yale, and finally playing professionally as part of the Whipsnakes, I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of incredible teams that have given me memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to every single coach and teammate that I’ve had through the years. The many practices, games, bus rides, dinners, and locker room moments will be times that will stick with me forever.
Thank you to my family: Dad, Mom, Brandon, Jared and Megan, for all the love and support you’ve given me throughout this entire journey. There is simply no collection of words that truly captures the gratitude and love that I have for you all. This road hasn’t always been easy, but you stuck by me through it all. Thank you for everything.”
Love,
Tyler
Whipsnakes Head Coach Jim Stagnitta credits Warner, who was the 2020 George Boiardi SSDM of the Year, for contributing to the rise of lockdown defensive midfielders in the league.
“I think he's defined the position,” Stagnitta said. “Before Danny Logan and Ryan Terefenko, he was the first one that I’ve seen that was as dominant as he was. And I think he made people realize the value in that position because he was so versatile. He could do so many things.”
Warner built a reputation for being a lockdown defensive midfielder particularly in 2019 and 2020, where he helped lead the Whipsnakes to back-to-back titles.
Ty Warner forces his man down the alley. As the Whips send a double, Jake Bernhardt splits two on the weakside and deflects the skip pass.@jak3bernhardt @_TyWarner5 @PLLWhipsnakes pic.twitter.com/GURXmMqGz2
— PLL Highlights (@PLLHighlight) May 30, 2020
Equipped with a powerful blend of strength and footwork, Warner was similar to a shutdown cornerback in football where he could be left on an island without needing a ton of help.
“You could put him behind the cage and he could cover any attackman in the league and you wouldn’t have to worry about sliding,” Stagnitta said.
While Warner is retiring from the lacrosse, the ‘medicine game’, Warner plans to dive back in fully to medical school, where he started in 2020.
“His ability to compete over these last couple of years while being in medical school and playing through some injuries that might have kept other people out just tells you about what kind of competitor and teammate and person [Warner was].”
