Grow the Game®

Tufts Stevens Lacrosse
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The Scholar-Athlete Is Alive And Well…

Tufts Stevens Lacrosse
Stevens Institute Lacrosse (DIII) in New Jersey.

College Athletics sometimes become such a big deal that people forget about the academic side of things at times. This is not always the case, and as one gets further from the bright lights of big-time D1 sports, academics often come into a clearer focus. Still, it’s always refreshing to hear about kids excelling both athletically, and academically, and how lacrosse can figure in to that.

At a place like the Stevens Institute of Technology, located in Hoboken, NJ, they take their academics very seriously. The school may be known for its success on the field by many, but it’s even better known for its potent classroom experience, and successful graduates.

The athletes at a school like Stevens are a special breed…

To all the guys and girls out there killing it on the field, and in the classroom, not just at Stevens, and regardless of division, WE SALUTE YOU! Keep Growing the Game and growing that brain.

Speaking of big brains, I caught up JR Oreskovich, current LXM PRO player and the guy who scored 100 points for Stevens in 2007, to delve a little deeper into his personal experience at the school. I’d like to thank JR for being so forthcoming. For anyone considering the Institute, it’s a must-read:

Stevens provides a uniquely challenging and rewarding experience. The student-athletes live in a world of juxtapositions: Small student populations; large percentage of athletes. Some schools allow students to thrive, but Stevens forces people to be successful or exit.
  • There are no “general education” courses and ahtletes are put in the spotlight from day 1.
  • Distractions are plentiful in Hoboken and NYC and the 18-22 credit minimum credits require total focus.
  • There are unmatched (outside of Brown) curriculum customization options;  being allowed to take 5 years without paying extra, the ability to work full-time during the fall or spring or summer and move the corresponding coursework to a different/later semester.
  • Special resources (tutors, training facilities, dining facilities) are provided for athletes, but there are much higher personal development standards at the same time.
  • The athletic community is tightly knit. Wrestlers and soccer players meet up with volleyball players, and so on.
  • No football team, this means that Lacrosse is the premier sport on campus and is financially supported like very few other universities (D1-D3).
  • All students in each school take the same exact classes for most of their academic career so you can build relationships with them for 2-3 years.
  • They provided the resources and support to get me national attention athletically.
  • Provided a curriculum focused on building a career that I used as a platform for my capitalist interests.
In the end, I was able to attend a university that supported me in my pursuit of excellence.

Well, I’m convinced. It sounds like a trial by fire, but that’s where excellence rears its head, right?