What does it take to make it to an Ivy League lacrosse program.
Some necessary attributes are obvious. Such as strong academic credentials.
But there are plenty more factors involved.
Mark Glicini is a perfect example
The Yale-bound attackman registered 65 goals and 36 assists last season, leading Mahwah to the Bergen County title and earning North Jersey Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year honor.
Despite the stellar spring, it may have been an eye-opening summer playing for the Long Island Sting that made the biggest difference.
That’s one of the things Mark discusses in this Q&A on his commitment. (You can then scroll down and see other Ivy League senior commits from the region.)
What were the main factors in your decision to attend Yale?
There were numerous factors that went into my decision to attend Yale. Since education always comes first and there is no better education in the world that I could receive than an education from Yale University, that factor immediately made it a top choice. Secondly, the student body I saw when I visited Yale were enthusiastic and seemed to be genuinely good people. Lastly, the lacrosse coaching staff and players are people I could see myself playing for and with day in and day out for four years.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
Although my high school team won the Bergen County championship last spring and I received plenty of postseason recognition, I remained a relative unknown to many college coaches until playing the summer circuit for Coach Ken Miller and his Long Island Sting club team. Unfortunately, by that time most of the recruiting opportunities in the Ivy League and top D-I college programs had already been filled. Although there was interest from some D-I colleges, I mostly received offers from top DIII programs including Williams, Amherst and Trinity. My decision to do a post-graduate year opened up so many more doors for me. Other schools besides Yale that I seriously considered were Harvard and Georgetown, two other schools I visited this fall.
What adjustments do you think you will need to make to play at the next level?
I have gained twenty pounds of muscle since last summer, and I’m looking to continue to get stronger as I prepare for the next level. Besides strength training, my biggest focus is to perfect my stick skills for both hands and increase my shot speed. I will continue to work hard on all aspects of my game before playing at the college level so that I can make an impact at Yale early and often.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My strength as a player is being a difference maker. I love to ride and cause turnovers through hustle defense. And, of course, I always find a way to put the ball in the back of the net on offense. I create great opportunities for myself and my teammates through decisive dodging and great field vision. Each day I look to lead by example and let my actions on the field speak for themselves.
What players have you looked up to as you have moved up through the varsity ranks?
A player I have always looked up to is Billy Bitter from UNC. He is not the biggest player on the field, yet he plays as if he is every game. Watching him make big plays and hearing how tough of an athlete he is makes him a great lacrosse role model in my eyes.
When did you first realize you had the potential to play at the college level?
I have always dreamed of playing lacrosse at the next level, but the first time I truly realized my potential was last summer when I really grew physically and developed into a confident, all around lacrosse player. Coming from a small lacrosse program in North Jersey, I truly desire to be the first lacrosse player from my town to make a statement in the Ivy League collegiate level. One day I’m confident people will look back on my lacrosse career and say that I was a kid with a big heart and a big dream from Mahwah, New Jersey that ended up exceeding expectations because he wouldn’t settle for just being a good high school player with potential.
Ivy League commits
Class of 2011
Brian Coleman, Garden City
College, position: Penn, attack/midfield
Aliro DeMeireles, Syosset
College, position: Yale, defense
Brendan DeTommaso, Chaminade
College, position: Princeton, attack/midfield
Brian Fischer, Garden City
College, position: Harvard, defense
Jake Gambitsky, Wantagh
College, position: Harvard, goaltender
Steve Jahelka, Garden City
College, position: Harvard, defense
Harry Kucharczyk, Manhasset
College, position: Yale, midfield
Sean Mahon, Chaminade
College, position: Harvard, midfield
Chris Moriarty, Cold Spring Harbor
College, position: Penn, midfield
Conrad Oberbeck, Brunswick
College, position: Yale, attack
Chris Orban, Staples
College, position: Princeton, midfield
Mike Quinn, Chaminade
College, position: Yale, long-stick midfielder
Jordan Stevens, Smithtown West
College, position: Cornell, defense
Shane Thornton, Chaminade
College, position: Yale, midfield
Jake Weil, John Jay
College, position: Dartmouth, midfielder
* Be sure to e-mail any recruiting commitment news to us at info@laxlessons.com. Also be sure to let us know if we are missing anyone from the list above.
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* Updated recruiting review and commitment rundown (for classes of 2011, 2012 and * new * 2013)
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Posted In: Recruiting Rundown
Great story. Great kid. All the best Mark!
Congrats Mark and good luck this coming season and then at Yale!
where will he be doing his pg year?
Deerfield
Great story. Impressive kid.
Enjoyed reading what he had to say. Good luck at Yale Mark