Wittenberg University Athletics is celebrating the Senior classes from each of the spring sports that missed out on their Senior Day experience, over the next few weeks. Today we highlight the seven members of the Wittenberg men's lacrosse team and hear about what they loved most about being a Wittenberg Tiger and more.
Name: Tony LeBarge
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
What is your favorite/best memory as a student-athlete at Wittenberg?
My favorite memory I will always have is leaving the locker room to go out to the field for a game. You do all your pre-game superstitions with the guys around you and then you walk out next to your best friends ready to win.
What do you love most about being a Wittenberg Tiger?
The family. I got the opportunity every day to be with my friends and play a game we love. I "Thank God I'm a Wittenberg Tiger!"
Outside of Athletics, who is the one campus staff or faculty member that had the most impact on you during your time at Wittenberg?
I would have to say, without a doubt, Dr. Rachel Wilson. She always made me feel welcome and I thank her so much for everything she did for me.
What is one piece of advice you would like to leave for the underclassmen or any recruits looking to become a part of your team in the future?
Even if I was able to finish the season, I would still say it went by too fast. It's the fastest 4 years of life. Make every single second of it count. You really don't feel the full effect of missing Witt until you are a few months away from it.
Why should a High School Prospect choose Wittenberg?
You meet amazing people, develop not only as a student, but as a professional, and you just so happen to have amazing facilities and a sport you love to play.
Name: Quinn McConkey
Hometown: Evanston, Illinois
What is your favorite/best memory as a student-athlete at Wittenberg?
My favorite memory would have to be playing in the NCAC Tournament.
What do you love most about being a Wittenberg Tiger?
The family culture that surrounds the campus.
Outside of Athletics, who is the one campus staff or faculty member that had the most impact on you during your time at Wittenberg?
Dr. Scott Rosenberg has always been a great supporter throughout my time here.
What is one piece of advice you would like to leave for the underclassmen or any recruits looking to become a part of your team in the future?
Don't take any moments for granted. The experience goes by fast and can obviously come to an end unexpectedly. Don't waste the time you have.
Why should a High School Prospect choose Wittenberg?
A prospective student should choose Wittenberg because of the family culture and the chance to compete at a really high level.
Name: Noah Moderwell
Hometown: Libertyville, Illinois
What is your favorite/best memory as a student-athlete at Wittenberg?
My favorite memory would be meeting some of my best friends for life. Some of the freshman year scrimmages at BE Field are the memories I'm looking back with the most nostalgia right at this moment though. Great times.
What do you love most about being a Wittenberg Tiger?
The people are really the best. It's hard to find people with as many common goals and ideals as Wittenberg. It's what I'm going to miss the most, the campus-wide community.
Outside of Athletics, who is the one campus staff or faculty member that had the most impact on you during your time at Wittenberg?
It's hard to choose, but Professor John R. Fenimore really pushed me academically and professionally. So, while I'm doing my accounting homework right now as I fill this out, I want to give him a shout out for the impact he's had on my life. There have been so many other staff/faculty who have impacted me tremendously as well (too many to list).
What is one piece of advice you would like to leave for the underclassmen or any recruits looking to become a part of your team in the future?
I would say never do something less than 100%. Very cliché, but you never know what the future holds (good or bad). Regardless of how you feel on a certain day or whether you enjoy the task you have in front of you, attacking it with everything you have will leave you with no feelings of regret or any other hypotheticals. My other piece would be don't be afraid to make a mistake or put yourself out there. You realize you are human, relationships and the memories you hold closest are really the things that last. Putting yourself out there and trying your hardest will just increase your chance of having even more fond memories and will allow for the greatest Wittenberg experience.
Why should a High School Prospect choose Wittenberg?
If you are looking for amazing intimate relationships and learning opportunities, Wittenberg is hard to beat. Wittenberg really sets you up well to be successful after college. I used to think about what it would be like if I went to other universities, and I realize that there really isn't any other place for me besides Wittenberg. It was the perfect blend of academics, athletics, experiences, and community for me.
Name: Patrick Riley
Hometown: North Reading, Massachusetts
What is your favorite/best memory as a student-athlete at Wittenberg?
Being able to play in different parts of the country and be with my friends.
What do you love most about being a Wittenberg Tiger?
Wearing the red and white and being able to compete with my teammates.
Outside of Athletics, who is the one campus staff or faculty member that had the most impact on you during your time at Wittenberg?
Dr. Wishart for being a good mentor as well as a great professor who helped to prepare me for my future career.
What is one piece of advice you would like to leave for the underclassmen or any recruits looking to become a part of your team in the future?
Don't take any day for granted and make the most of the opportunities you get. It goes by fast.
Why should a High School Prospect choose Wittenberg?
We have state of the art facilities that are unmatched across all of D3. Being a part of Wittenberg men's lacrosse is where I met lifelong friends, and it has given me some of the best memories.
Name: Matthew Welch
Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana
What is your favorite/best memory as a student-athlete at Wittenberg?
My favorite memory would be all the things I was able to get involved with, which led to some of my best friends.
What do you love most about being a Wittenberg Tiger?
You get to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
Outside of Athletics, who is the one campus staff or faculty member that had the most impact on you during your time at Wittenberg?
Dr. Michael Mattison and Shelly Chan, whatever you are paying them I can ensure you it isn't enough. They have had a great impact on my Wittenberg experience.
What is one piece of advice you would like to leave for the underclassmen or any recruits looking to become a part of your team in the future?
Work hard but don't take college too seriously the memories are what you will have forever.
Why should a High School Prospect choose Wittenberg?
In this world, there are garbage men and there are doctors. If you don't want to be a doctor go somewhere else.
Name: Jack Wolfe
Hometown: Troy, Michigan
What is your favorite/best memory as a student-athlete at Wittenberg?
My favorite memory as a student-athlete was our last practice this year. It was a very special day because everyone was just having fun and not worrying about any outside distractions. I know it meant a lot to me and the other seniors as well. We were all very thankful for one last opportunity to play together.
What do you love most about being a Wittenberg Tiger?
I love the sense of community we have amongst all sports on campus. I think that all of the sports get along with one another and it provides a very unique and family atmosphere.
Outside of Athletics, who is the one campus staff or faculty member that had the most impact on you during your time at Wittenberg?
I would say that Jon Duraj has had the biggest impact on me. He has been a great mentor to me and has helped me get through a lot of things both professionally and personally.
What is one piece of advice you would like to leave for the underclassmen or any recruits looking to become a part of your team in the future?
My one piece of advice would be to enjoy the small things about your sport and trust the process. There will be a number of things which you might not understand at first but if you trust the process it will all make sense in the end.
Why should a High School Prospect choose Wittenberg?
I would choose Wittenberg because there is no place like it. Everyone is there to support one another and make sure we can succeed.
Name: Tay Morton
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio