Animated Lacrosse
Plays and Drills for
your Team

Stephen Parker will have plenty to write about if one of his early assignments at South Side High School (N.Y.) next month is “What did you do this summer?”

The defenseman/longstick midfielder sure had another eventful one, performing well at several events, including the Long Island Showcase.

As the summer draws to a close, Parker has decided on his college decision, making a verbal commitment to the Air Force Academu, a decision first reported when it was made on Aug. 12 by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider section.

The 5-foot-9, 150-pound Parker’s commitment is a big one for Air Force. Parker was heavily recruited by many major Division I programs, including several Ivy League programs.

Parker, a righty, is a dynamic player on both offense and defensive who makes plays up and down the field.

Parker, who led South Side in groundballs this past season, was selected to play in the rising sophomore all-star game at Maverik Showtime last year.

You can watch his highlight reel here.

Parker joins attackman Matt Hahn of Avon Old Farms (Conn.) as a tristate rising junior commitment for Air Force.

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

What were the main factors in your decision?
The Air Force Academy is a place where I will have opportunities that no other school can offer.  I love the idea of being able to get a great education, play great lacrosse and serve our great country.

What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I visited Princeton, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth and Air Force. I strongly considered Dartmouth.

What area of your game do you need to work on?
I could always work on every area of my game. Specifically, I could work on my strength and speed.

How did you get introduced to lacrosse and what other sports have you played?
I started out playing in lacrosse clinics at the high school when I was 5 years old.  I had never even stepped on a baseball field and I knew that lacrosse was for me.  I have played basketball and wrestled throughout middle school, and still play football.

What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I played for Team 91 Orange and my high school team, Rock Lacrosse, this summer.  I was on the Nassau team for the Long Island Showcase, went to Maverik Showtime, and attended various tournaments and college showcases.

Any final thoughts?
I would like to thank all of my coaches that I have ever had to this point.

Some specific coaches I would like to thank are (South Side Head) Coach (Steve) DiPietro, and his staff at South Side, for everything they have done for me and the opportunities that they have given me. Also, Brian Spallina and other 91 coaches for their help every summer. I would like to thank Mike O’Reilly, my first coach in PAL lacrosse, who gave me a passion for the game. I also wouldn’t be where I am today without Pat McCabe, who I have trained my skills with since I was around 10.

Special thanks to my parents and sisters, for their constant support throughout this whole process. Everything that I have done is made possible by my family, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of that.