COLUMBUS, Ohio – Capital University men's lacrosse head coach A.J. Smith has received a call-up to the French National Lacrosse Team ahead of the 2023 World Lacrosse Championships to be held in San Diego, California this coming summer. 

"First off, I want to thank Coach Brendan Bonacum and Darin Snyder for this opportunity to continue to represent the French National team at the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego," said Smith. "This team is extremely special, and I look forward to growing closer as a team at Worlds. Being an 'older' guy on the team - I look forward to bringing experience and knowledge to help us win. Lacrosse is not a very popular sport in France, so the ability to help grow the game over there is the best part of wearing the French jersey. Just being able to provide equipment, experience, and teaching the game to the developing players is what this sport is all about." 

Smith, who just completed his second full season at the helm of the Comets' program, previously represented the French National Team in the FIL Championships in Israel in 2018. While there, he was named the team MVP after scoring four goals and dishing out three assists.

Since the FIL Championships, Smith has played in various skirmishes and non-championship events with Team France three other times including in France and in Scotland. The team has even utilized the Olympic Training facilities in France for various uses with Smith on the roster. 

"My best memory so far with this team was the first time I went to France in 2018," continued Smith. "Walking around Paris and observing the history and culture while knowing that I will be representing this country at Worlds was a feeling I could not describe. If you would have told me when I picked up a lacrosse stick in seventh grade that this sport would take me to Scotland, Paris, Israel, and play in two World Games; I would have thought you were insane. I am super excited for this opportunity this coming June and I hope we can grow closer as a team! Allez les blues!"

At the helm of Capital lacrosse, coach Smith has led the Comets to a combined 22-14 record in his first two seasons with the program. Year one ended with a 9-9 record and this most recent season ended with a much improved 13-5 record. Both seasons have ended with trips to the OAC Tournament Semifinals. Under his mentorship 10 players have been named to All-Conference teams, four student-athletes have been selected to the USILA National Team of the Week and many more have won weekly conference awards. 

This year's World Lacrosse Championships will take place in San Diego from June 21st through July 1st. Team France is scheduled to play Japan on June 22nd, Denmark on June 23rd, Uganda on June 24th and Wales on June 26th. A complete game schedule can be found here.