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Peter Gesualdi’s recruiting story is different.

The scores of seniors whose verbal commitments first became official with the start of Fall National Signing Week yesterday are focused on playing one sport — lacrosse — at the next level.

But Gesualdi has taken the famous quote from baseball legend Ernie Banks to heart.

Namely, “Let’s play two.”

The senior midfielder who helped Darien capture its seventh Connecticut Class M state title in the last eight years this past spring plans on playing both lacrosse and football in college.

As you’ll see, Hobart has a unique ability to afford him with that opportunity.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Gesualdi brings speed and athleticism to both sports. In lacrosse, he is  a lock-down short-stick d-middie with strong clearing abilities.

In football, the running back/safety is a potent runner and receiver on offense. Defensively, he had eight interceptions last season.

“The football is Division III and the lacrosse is Division I,” Gesualdi said of Hobart. “Both the coaches said that if I wanted to it would be totally fine to play both sports and neither of them would interfere with each other.”

Now, here’s a Q&A with Peter on his commitment.

What were the main factors in your decision?
The main reason for my decision to commit to Hobart happened after I met (Head Lacrosse) Coach (T.W.) Johnson and (Head Football) Coach (Mike) Cragg. They were both very honest to me and both of them wanted a spot for me on their rosters.

The campus was also very beautiful right next to the lake and the career center at the school really does a good job of putting graduates out into the working world.

What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
Trinity College, Dickinson, Colby and Gettysburg. I visited all four of them.

What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
Definitely my speed. I have good foot work and have a good concept of team defense. I use my speed in ball clearing along with my ability to see the field has produced good results.

When did you decide you wanted to play both football and lacrosse in college and are you looking forward to the challenge of playing both at the college level?
I decided that I wanted to play football and lacrosse in college when I went up for my visit and met with both the football coach and the lacrosse coach.

The football is Division III and the lacrosse is Division I. Both the coaches said that if I wanted to it would be totally fine to play both sports and neither of them would interfere with each other.

There aren’t many schools that would allow you to play a Division I and a Division III sport. Both coaches — Coach Johnson and Coach Cragg — were very supportive of my decision.

Who have been some of the biggest influences on you during your development as a player?
Two of the biggest influences during my lacrosse career has been my high school coach, Coach (Jeff Brameier and my dad.

Coach Brameier has been coaching me and teaching me the game of lacrosse ever since I can remember starting the sport. My dad has also been very supportive throughout my lacrosse career and has kept pushing me to be the player that I am now.

What travel team did you play on and what were some of the big showcase events you participated in last summer?
The travel team I have been playing on is the CT Chargers, which I have been playing on since sixth grade, and I made the all star team for King of the Hill in Maryland.

Every summer has been a challenge for me because I have been balancing football out with lacrosse.

* For more info on Peter, check out his player profile by clicking here.

* 2012 Fall Signing Week story/photo archive

Have a recruiting commitment to report? Email us at info@laxlessons.com.

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