Coach Till:  What was the experience like for you and your team to make it to the National Championship game as underdogs?

Sean Morris: Playing for the national title game was unbelievable.  I grew up watching every final four and desperately wanted to play in it.  As captains, we harped on the teams potential and our goal was to be the first UMass team to make it to the Final Four and win a National title.  The underdog role was one we relished, but we knew we belonged there and proved it when on a national stage.

CT: You guys broke Syracuse's streak the year before (2005) - what was the biggest difference coming into the Championship run in 2006?

SM: I think the biggest difference between 2006 and 2005 was our ability to win face offs.  Jake Deane along with great wing play allowed us to dominate or win the majority of our draws.  When we played Hopkins after Syracuse, they dominated the X.  As an attackman, we never saw the ball.  We were more talented offensively, but without the ball, you can not play.  Therefore, the clear difference between the two teams was face-offs.

CT: What's coach Canella like?

SM: Coach Canella is the national coach of the year for a reason.  He is excellent at getting the most out of his players.  He is a lot like myself in the way we are both very intense and play (or coach) with a lot of passion.  Our practices are often harder then games because of the way he prepares us.  Off the field, coach was a father figure by always trying to aid me and my teammates the best he could when it came to academics, personal life and cracking jokes at each other.

CT: What's the best thing any coach/player has told/taught you?

SM: The best coaching advice I have ever received from someone was my youth football coach.  Not only did he teach me to compete, but he also instilled an attitude in me.  He would say "If you're better than me, then you will have to prove it this play, the next play and until the last whistle blows."  He would say the same in the reverse situation.

CT: As with all the great teams, you guys seemed like family, especially the seniors, and really depended on one another.  How did that help you guys in the tournament?

SM: Our senior class was small, but we all cared for each other.  Due to that closeness, no one wanted to let anyone down and was committed to the success of each other and our team.

CT: How do you like playing in the MLL?

SM: The MLL is great.  Being able to play with such talented players is something special.  The Chicago organization aided me in whatever I needed and the team was filled with great character.  Unfortunately, our record did not prove that, but I take that upon myself to change that next summer.

CT: Who's the toughest defender you've played against in college?  in the MLL?

SM: The toughest defender I played in college was Jack (Reid).  Fortunately, I had him on my team, but our practices and one on ones were a great challenge in preparing one another for our match ups.  In the MLL, the toughest defender, and I believe the most underrated, was Lee Zink.  His range and athleticism is what separates him from everyone else.

CT: How do you like playing with Mike Culver?  Is he your boss now? What would he say?

SM: Mike is a lot of fun to play with.  We both play the game with a lot of intensity and hate to lose.  We were roommates all summer and became good friends.  I look forward to him leading the front office in his GM role.  As for him being my boss, I would never give him that satisfaction. 

CT: You have a little UMass reunion going on in Chicago.  How does that help your transition to the MLL?

SM: Me, Jake (Deane), Kevin(Leveille) and Dan Paccione were all close friends of mine in college and to be reunited with them really made the transition easier on and off the field.  In this sport, you never stop learning and I would take a few things from each of their games and try to incorporate that into my own.

CT: How tough was it going 0-12?

SM: I hate to lose and going 0-12 did not make my life easy this summer.  We were in a lot of close games but never closed them out.  There are a lot of simple things we can work on to make us a better team and I feel with those changes the Machine's first victory will come out of it.

CT: When/if you ever play Rochester who would have the upper hand - you or Jack Reid?

SM: I left college with the upper hand on Jack.  Our last one on one I made him fall into the back of the net.  As for now, it would still be a toss up.  Hopefully, we can play against on another next season because I love the challenge.

CT: What's your day job?

SM: I have just taken a position at a wealth management group in downtown Boston called the Executive Compensation Group.  They are a branch off of Mass Mutual and Novak Charter Oak.  I help individuals and companies design, build and maintain their financial wants and needs.  So if you need my services, do not hesitate to call.

CT: What kind of offense did you guys run at UMass?  Offense you would like to run at Chicago?

SM: The offense I love to play in is the run and gun.  Coach Canella coaches that way and in the MLL you have to play that way because of the shot clock and the athleticism of the players.

CT:  Did you always play attack?  How did playing running back in high school help you at playing attack?

SM: I played attack in high school and then some midfield my first two years at UMass.  Being a running back in football allowed to me to use my speed and quickness to make moves in the open field.  I felt more like a running back when I played midfield.  On attack, I had to use angles and create my own space to utilize my strengths in dodging.

CT: What players have influenced how you play the game (from any sport)?

SM: I idolized Bo Jackson, Barry Sanders and "Rocket" Ismail growing up.  I wear the number 25 because of the "Rocket."  In lacrosse I would model my game after Mark Millon because we were so similar in build and athletic ability.  I also enjoy how Conor Gill QB's an offense, John Grant's creativity, AJ Haugen's ability the shoot so well with both hands and Kevin Leveille hands.

CT: Do you have any superstitions/pre-game rituals?

SM: I have a few superstitions and a few pre game rituals.  I always put on my uniform the same way, try to eat the same things the night before, listen to the same music, warm up the same way, stretch the same way.  I had a lot more in college than in the MLL.

CT: When did you decide to play lacrosse seriously? Why did you choose lacrosse?

SM: I began to take lacrosse serious in 8th grade.  I started in the summer going into 8th grade because of a family friends kept harping on me and the rest of my friends were playing the sport.  I was a good baseball player, but I fell in love with the sport and focused on football and lacrosse in high school.

CT:  What are some things you need to work on to improve your game?  What are your strengths in the game right now?

SM: My game is always in need of improvement.  I can always work on the accuracy and speed of my shot.  I can always be more intelligent on the field.  Finally, I can never be too quick or too fast, so I will always try to get stronger at all the aspects of my game.

CT: What's worse: Your roommate eats your food or wears your clothes?

SM: I hated when my roommates use to eat my food, especially if it was a steak or something. 

CT: What CD is in your CD player?  OR What songs are you listening to on your IPOD?

SM: I am a big fan of the new Akon CD, but for games I love to listen to the Linkin Park Jay Z CD.