Scott Carnegie committed to lacrosse for more than money
Most professional athletes are focused on their opponents. But because he doesn’t make enough money playing lacrosse, Scott Carnegie divides his focus between his opponents and the public’s safety.
Carnegie, who has been playing defence for the Roughnecks for the past six seasons, is also a paid-on-call firefighter for Rocky View County Fire Services.
“The National Lacrosse League is kind of a part-time league. Obviously the salaries aren’t enough to maintain a living and support your family,” Carnegie said.
Carnegie (red) checks Zack Greer of the Edmonton Rush during a game at the Scotiabank Saddledome. “I love lacrosse and that’s why I do it,” he said. “It’s not for the money, obviously. I can’t think of a time when I didn’t want to play.”
Photo by Ian Esplen
While players in the NLL are high-level athletes, Carnegie said that most have their own full-time jobs or school elsewhere, and consider lacrosse to be more of a part-time job.
He said that he generally works two 24-hour shifts in a week with the fire department. He can work up to 120 hours per month – almost a full-time job.
Lacrosse and firefighting aside, Carnegie is also a newlywed and said that he has to balance both of his jobs with spending time with his wife.
“It takes a lot of organizational skills and you have to have your priorities in order,” he said.
He added that the fire department is sympathetic towards his lacrosse commitments and allows the workers to select their own shifts.
Despite his heavy workload, Carnegie said that being a firefighter is something he enjoys as much as playing lacrosse.
“The best part about being a firefighter is getting to work together as a team to accomplish something.There is also a lot of fulfillment involved in the job because you get to help people.”
– Scott Carnegie
“The best part about being a firefighter is getting to work together as a team to accomplish something,” he said. “There is also a lot of fulfillment involved in the job because you get to help people.”
He said that both jobs have their challenges.
“We can be pretty banged up after games and it will take a day or two to recover, but working a 24-hour shift can be pretty demanding on a person as well,” he said.
Despite this demanding lifestyle, Carnegie said that he still loves every minute of suiting up alongside his Roughnecks teammates.
“I love lacrosse and that’s why I do it,” he said. “It’s not for the money, obviously. I can’t think of a time when I didn’t want to play.”
iesplen@cjournal.ca