Trine University
NCAA Division III
Angola, Indiana
Gavin was a four year varsity player at Oconomowoc High School as a goalie. Gavin was an all-conference honorable mention as a freshman and was a first team all-conference as a Sophomore. He played with our Pirate 2021 fall team and prior to that he played with True Wisconsin. Gavin is a player who loves the game and works hard at being the best he can be. We spoke to Gavin earlier in January 2021 to get his thoughts on going to Trine University and to tell his recruiting story.
Pirate Lacrosse: How did you choose Trine?
GP: “I was able to get a good feel about Trine when I took my first tour there. The campus looked so nice and new it just looked very well cared for. Everything was just so nice and it just gave me a good vibe”
“Another big thing for me was that the school had a great exercise science program, which is my major. All their facilities for exercise science were brand new and it’s one of the school’s bigger majors. Not only that, but one the coaches on the Trine lacrosse staff was a professor in the exercise science department.”
“Lacrosse wise, the coach made it clear that I would see time as an underclassmen, which I am all for. I’d rather not ride the bench for a couple years, I want to play as soon as I can. Like the rest of the school, the athletic facilities are awesome.The lax team even has their own locker room. The coach also made a point in saying that he only wants kids on this team who really love the game.”
Pirate Lacrosse: What was your recruiting process?
GP: “I started my lacrosse recruitment around 8th grade. I went to tournaments and showcases all the time throughout 8th grade and high school. One big thing that I always had was a highlight tape that I could send to coaches. And I made sure that whenever I sent anything out it was always my best and most current clips. A lot of times when you first make any contact with a coach they want to see your highlights so I made that a priority.”
“Whenever I was going to a tournament or showcase I would always check the list of coaches going and see which schools I’d be interested in. I never really sent anything beforehand to them. Looking back I probably should have. But I would still get coaches who would watch me and then reach out. I would then start talking with them, see how the school was and see if I would be a good fit.”
“Trine specifically I was introduced to by Pirate Coach Jamieson. He gave the coach my information and I received a text from him. He wanted to see some highlights, but most importantly he wanted to know my major and how my grades were. He then wanted me to apply to see if I would be accepted into the school. No point in talking to me if I can’t be accepted. When I was accepted, I took an official visit and was shown everything that Trine had to offer.”
Pirate Lacrosse: What is one thing you would impart onto someone else trying to play college lacrosse?
GP: “Don’t stress yourself out too much. Don’t over work yourself and burn yourself out on lacrosse. Always be practicing and wanting to be better. But sometimes, it’s okay to take some time off and recover and relax.”