How did the school you chose separate itself from the others you considered?
The school itself is beautiful. I also connected with the philosophy at HPU; developing life skills, building character, fostering values and practical experiential learning. HPU has a 97% placement rate at graduation which was impressive and really important to me.
On the lacrosse side, I liked Coach Torpey immediately. He talked to me about buying-in and creating something special. I have always been a hard worker so I knew that becoming a Panther would be a good fit for me. Coach Torpey stresses that we are a brotherhood and all the other recruits, current players and staff have welcomed me in.
How would you describe your recruiting process overall?
My recruiting process was a long and difficult journey that could not have been done without the help of Ryan and the other 24/7 coaches. They helped me develop my athleticism and lacrosse IQ to make me a overall better player then spoke with coaches for me when the time came. After a long time without any notice from High Point, Ryan suggested I give it one more try by attending a prospect day before I give up and that is what lead to my offer.
What was your favorite part of the recruiting process?
My favorite part of the recruiting process was getting the call from Coach Torpey. It was something I really wanted and worked hard to accomplish. Signing day was another fantastic part of being a lacrosse recruit. I had watched so many athletes I idolized commit to their colleges; always thinking that was going to be me one day. It was pretty surreal to have my dream come true.
What opportunities and information assisted you during your recruiting process?
Ryan was always available to answer any questions I had and reached out to the coaches before prospect days and campus visits to help put me in a position to be successful. I also think he was really great at telling us what recruiting opportunities were beneficial and which ones were more of a money grab. He kept his faith in me but also was very realistic where he thought I belonged and that helped me focus my efforts on researching the right programs at the right schools.
Did you feel like you had support from the Team 24/7 Staff during your process? If so, how?
All of the coaches were so awesome during my time at 24/7. While they were hard on me, they had an end goal in sight for me. Ryan and the staff always pushed me to the limit. I could text or call any of the 24/7 staff and they would respond with advice as soon as they could.
Another thing the 24/7 coaches do well is creating relationships. It takes the pressure off getting looks or winning the games if you are out on the field enjoying your coaches and playing with your friends.
What individual or showcase events, if any, did you find the most beneficial during your process?
I decided to focus on attending the schools I wanted to go to directly instead of going to showcases. Prospect days were perfect for me because I got to showcase my skills in front of the entire coaching staff in a smaller environment.
What would you tell younger players or parents to help them prepare for the recruiting process?
You will find the right place, it might be D1, D2, D3 or Club. There is always somewhere to play. For any younger athlete playing lacrosse, my advice to you is just have fun. Lacrosse came so easy to me when I was having fun with my friends. For the recruiting process, I would put your trust in Ryan. He knows what he is doing and will guide you to the correct place.
