Tuesday, November 12, 2012 was a momentous occasion for ten senior Jesuit athletes as they signed their National Letters of Intent to play college sports. This was the day when all of their hard work came to fruition and their verbal commitments, some of which were made as early as sophomore year, were finally made official.
In one of the biggest signing days in Jesuit athletic history, the class of 2013 brought out ten impressive athletes from two sports: golf and lacrosse. For the lacrosse team, its impressive seven signees set the record for the most in team history, and they certainly set the bar high for future classes.
The earliest of the lacrosse commits was goalie Dan Morris who verbally committed to play at the University of Maryland in the fall of his sophomore year. “After two years it’s nice to finally have it official on paper,” said Morris. Morris was an all-state player this past season and hopes to repeat the same performance in the 2013 season. Joining Dan in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the most prestigious in all of college lacrosse, is Garrett Van de Ven who signed with Duke University. “I’m blessed to have the opportunity,” he commented, “and I have to thank my coach and all my teammates who helped me get here.”
Garrett was an all-state honoree and was also co-offensive MVP for the Rangers with attackman Zach Coker. Coker is headed to Furman University, a first year program in South Carolina, after recently giving a verbal commitment earlier this year. “I want to thank all my teammates and coaches,” said Zach.
Sam Rosengarden, another lacrosse player who signed with Jacksonville University agreed, saying, “I’m excited for the opportunity; it’s nice to finally have something on paper, but I’m going to work as hard as I can these next four years.” The fourth of the lacrosse players to commit before their senior year, defenseman Hunter Hill, signed to play at the United States Air Force Academy where he will join former Jesuit lacrosse player Richie Sapp ’11. Hill commented on his unique opportunity to both play Division I lacrosse and serve his country: “I’m really looking forward to it,” he said, “and I have to thank everyone for always being there for me.”
Midfielder Carson Buell was the next lacrosse player to commit, giving his verbal to Division II Rollins College in Florida, where he will join 2012 Jesuit grad and lacrosse player Alex Petsos. The last of the lacrosse athletes to sign was Christian Carson-Banister, also known as CB, who is headed to Boston University to play for their newly formed program. “I’m excited to go to school in Boston and play for the program, but I’m also looking forward to this season, because that’s what really matters right now.” CB is the second string goalie for the Rangers, and his signing illustrates the depth that the team is going to rely on going forward this year.
The Jesuit lacrosse team is taking on a “state championship or bust” mentality this year as they look for production from these seven athletes who will eventually join the college ranks. On top of that, 5 of 6 offensive starters, including juniors Lee Belland and Jason Myers, will return from the team that made it to the state semifinals last year.
Lacrosse was not the only sport represented at signing day, though. The other three athletes, seniors Thomas Allen, Michael Valletti, and Josh Radcliffe, come from Jesuit’s stellar golf program.
Valletti, headed to Loyola University Chicago, commented, “I’m very excited and can’t wait to get on campus next year.” The next signee, Radcliffe, will be joining a top 75 golf team in the NCAA as he heads to the University of Texas at Arlington to play for the Mavericks. “I’m really happy to join the team and can’t wait to see if I am able to make an impact when I get there.” Last was Thomas Allen, who signed with Newman University, a Catholic liberal arts school located in Kansas, to join their promising Division II golf team. When asked about his signing, he only had two words to offer, “Yes sir,” words of pure confidence and excitement.
The golf team also looks to have a great season leaning on performance from their three signees and other varsity returners such as junior Sam Rosenberg who comments, “We have a pretty good team this year. I think we might be able to do something special.”
Both the golf and lacrosse programs are proud to be sending so many talented young men to play in college, and these athletes will not only represent Jesuit well on the field, but also off the field as they look to be Men for Others. Jesuit athletics fans still have one more signing day to look forward to in the spring, though, where they will see football, basketball, and other Jesuit athletes sign their NLIs.
