Joseph Derosa '19 Recruiting Profile

The best decision in my life was picking up my first lacrosse stick. I didn’t know how to use it, but I knew it would change my life. I started out playing football at a very young age, and played every position I could. I started on the freshman high school football team as a quarterback, and was able to stand with my team as we won the State Championship at High Point Stadium. But as much as I came to enjoy football, it didn’t come close to the love I have for lacrosse.

I became known for my speed and aggressive style on the lacrosse field, and I used those skills, with the help of my long pole to my advantage. As a freshman, I played on the JV team and won JV defensive player of the year. I’ve always been lucky enough to have great lacrosse coaches to guide me on the field, but it’s the endless support of my parents that  have guided my way in life. My parents have always taught me what it means  to become a great man... commitment, honor, and respect have always been my driving forces. But thanks to hard work, and perserverance, my grades are my backbone. Strong academics makes a stronger athlete.

I appreciate all that my parents have sacrificed over the years, whether it was driving me  to practices, games, or spending weekends in the summer at tournaments. I can only pay it forward by sharing my skills on and off the lacrosse field.

Every player is important to a team, and I hope I get to be just as important to my college teammates as they will be to me. Being part of a brotherhood, and contributing to something bigger than I am, is one of the most important things for a great college experience,  in my opinion. Whether my campus is big or small, I can only hope that the relationships I forge, and the impact that I have is long lasting.