LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University lacrosse team announced that seven players will serve as team captains in the 2024 season.  Earning the recognition were Harrison Pate, JC Higginbotham, and Benny O'Rourk, who will all serve as captains for the third season; Denton Macdonald, a second-year captain; and first-time captains Brady Long, Kyle Playsted and Brennan McDermott.
 
"This is potentially the most accomplished group of captains in Bellarmine Lacrosse history," said Bellarmine Coach Andrew Whitley. "We have one of the largest rosters in Bellarmine history, and I think each one of these players brings something different to the program and resonates in a variety of ways amongst their peers."
 
The three third-year captains have largely led by example, being cornerstones of the program the past three seasons while earning accolades in three different positions. 
 
O'Rourk has been one of the leading scorers for the Knights the past three seasons while racking up honors such as USILA Scholar All-American and multiple laurels from both the Atlantic Sun and Southern conferences.
 
Higginbotham, conversely, is one of the Knights who's made a name for himself by preventing scores. The goalie from Plano, Texas comes into the 2024 season ranked second on Bellarmine's all-time saves list.  He also has reaped awards from both the ASUN and SoCon.
 
Pate, meanwhile, patrols the defensive midfield for the Knights and has been a solid contributor since being named to College Crosse's All-Freshman Team in the COVID-shortened season of 2020.  Like O'Rourk and Higginbotham, Pate also is an ASUN Honor Roll recipient.
 
Serving as captain for a second year is Denton Macdonald, another mostly defensive short stick midfielder who leads by example. An all-conference performer in the past, the native of British Columbia produces on both ends of the field.  Last year, for example, Macdonald ranked second on the team in caused turnovers, third in ground balls and fifth in goals scored.
 
Long, Playsted and McDermott also offer the Bellarmine captains corps a variety of experience. 
 
Long comes in as one of the Knights' best close defenders over the past two seasons.  The junior from New Jersey earned All-Freshman Team honors from the ASUN in 2022, and he already ranks sixth on BU's all-time caused turnovers list.
 
Playing on the opposite end of the field, Playsted is arguably the best offensive player to ever don a Bellarmine uniform.  Last season he earned All-America plaudits from Inside Lacrosse, and the Calgary native already sits atop Bellarmine's all-time points and assists lists.
 
McDermott, a junior from New York, is another midfielder who plays on both sides of the center line.  Another ASUN Honor Roll recipient, last year he appeared in 16 games and amassed two goals, 14 ground balls and two caused turnovers.
 
Whitley said having the 2024 captains come from a diverse number of positions is important.  "Being a captain in our program is an immense responsibility, and I believe having such a large breadth of experience within our leadership group will allow for our program's identity to be disseminated and emphasized throughout the locker room," he said.  "This is an exciting period in our program's history, and I could not be more thrilled for this group to lead us into the 2024 season."