Springfield, Ohio — Over the last four years, Will Emery, class of 2012 from Columbus, Ohio, has appeared in nearly 50 games as a defenseman for the Wittenberg University men's lacrosse team. While memories of winning the first two North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championships in program history in 2010 and 2011 will always be fresh in his mind, an opportunity to represent his university in Europe last summer also stands out.
Emery, who joins multiple family members as Wittenberg alumni when he receives his degree from the university on May 12, played in two tournaments while visiting Berlin and Hanover in Germany and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with a program called USA Starz during his 2011 summer break. The trip, which also involved his brother Ted, a junior attackman at Regis University in Denver, Colo., offered a tremendous educational opportunity while also preparing Emery for his senior year on the field at Wittenberg.
"It was an amazing experience, and I'd fully recommend it," said Emery, who has picked up 14 ground balls in 11 games, including four starting assignments, during the 2012 season. "Not only was the lacrosse aspect of it great, but it was a lot of fun off the field, too.
"I got to know a lot of the guys and girls on the trip really well. To go along with this, my brother Ted went on the trip with me, which added some good family bonding time."
Emery's team played in the Berlin Open, billed as the biggest lacrosse tournament in Europe, and the Amsterdam Lowlands Tournament, placing second in both competitions. He and his brother were two of three Ohioans on the team, which was one of just two American outfits entered in either tournament.
Emery said the stop in Hanover was actually his favorite. He found time to explore the city, and one of the USA Starz coaches arranged for a scrimmage and practice sessions with a local club team that he also coaches. Emery found playing with non-English speaking teammates a unique challenge.
Back home, Emery is one of nine seniors who will be honored prior to the 2012 season finale against Otterbein at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 1. The Tigers are unlikely to reach the NCAA Division III Tournament for a third straight year, checking in with records of 7-4 overall and 1-2 in the NCAC through April 20, but the senior class can still lay claim to being the first in program history with four straight winning seasons if Wittenberg wins at least one of its last three games.
Emery isn't prepared to set his lacrosse stick or his suitcase aside any time soon, however. He and teammate George Gion, class of 2012 from Northfield, Ill., plan to play in a lacrosse league in Adelaide, Australia, shortly after accepting their degrees.
"As my college career winds down, the memories of my trips abroad will stay with me forever, just as all the great times with my Wittenberg family will," said Emery, who will graduate with a degree in political science. "It has been a great experience."
Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photo By: Erin Pence
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