Western's own Jordi Jones-Smith was drafted into the National Lacrosse League by the New England Black Wolves on September 28th, 2015.
 
Jordi was taken in what many Lacrosse commentators call the best draft of all time, by a team that has relocated to the Mohegan Sun Reserve and Casino/Resort in upstate Connecticut.
 
Hard work has had an extremely large impact on the success of the Whitby, Ontario native. Jordi will be headed to camp with NLL superstars and Team Canada stalwarts as Kevin Crowley and Andrew Suitor. The Western athletic community and the men's lacrosse team is very proud of Jordi`s selection.
 
Jordi has become one of the best transition players in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association, and is looking to help his Mustang lacrosse team win the Baggataway Cup (National Intercollegiate Field Lacrosse supremacy).
 
The fourth year criminology student is no stranger to National titles, having won the Minto Cup with the Whitby Warriors in 2013 under coaching legend Derek Keenan, to whom Jordi gives great credit for his development. Jordi began in the Whitby minor system and worked the ranks having progressed through Intermediate and Jr C before becoming a defensive stalwart with the mighty Whitby Warriors.
 
He dreamed of playing for the Warriors as a boy in minor. An undeniable work ethic, serious dedication and his athletic talent allowed Jordi to help take the hometown Warriors to a Minto championship in Coquitlam B.C. in 2013. The Warriors beat the New Westminster Salmonbellies 10 to 8 in overtime of a very tough deciding game.
 
The Minto win seemed to be a dream come true for a boy who was so very inspired just to play in a Warrior jersey. He developed within the Whitby system along with players such as Dan Litner, Reilly O`Conner and Curtis Knight, who are all in or headed to stardom in the NLL, but chose to attend Western rather than look to the NCAA like the others.
 
Jordi`s leadership and effort on the field have been significant to the success of the UWO season. He anchors a very strong middle transition for the Mustangs and his offense has developed to where he has become a regular threat to score from the midfield position.
 
The development of Jordi`s offensive skills will undoubtedly help at the professional level as all defenders have to be gifted ball handlers to succeed. Jeremy Televi, Western Coach points to Jordi`s work ethic and efforts to improve offensive skills as a reason as to why he has real opportunities in the NLL.
 
Televi, who has coached for Keenan in the past, also points to Jordi`s work and development at Western as helping ready Jordi for the professional circuit.
 
Jordi credits his family, who have encouraged him at every step and routinely make it to Friday night games at Mustang Field. It takes support from those closest to a player to make it to the big show and Jordi acknowledges the sacrifices and tireless support of his parents and family.
 
Coach Keenan and all the players that Jordi has stepped on the floor or field with get a big shout out from him as well. His hard work ethic and desire to do his best that has allowed Jordi to play in and win a Minto Cup, be drafted to the professional ranks and if all the hard work stays true to the course, to win a Baggataway Cup for Western this November.