Photo by Bob Sorensen/Sachem Patch
There are plenty of factors to weigh when considering a college during the recruiting process.
For Tyler Andreassi, one was tough to overlook.
His brother, Michael Andreassi, a former teammate of his at Sachem North, just completed his freshman season at UMass.
After considering several D-I programs, Tyler Andreassi, in the end, decided to follow his brother’s path as we reported here early Friday morning, the day Tyler made his commitment, on our “Updated recruiting review and commitment rundown.”
The latest UMass-bound Andreassi is a right-handed longstick midfielder/defenseman who uses his size (5-10, 200-pound) to outmuscle and outhustle opponents.
Andreassi becomes the Flaming Arrows’ first junior to commit to a college. Sachem North has eight senior commits.
“We should have three more 2012s in the next two weeks and one or two more 2013s before the fall is over,” Sachem North coach Jay Mauro told me last week.
So stay tuned for that.
Mauro, by the way, coaches Andreassi in not only lax, but football as well, where Tyler is a standout fullback/linebacker.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Tyler on his commitment to UMass.
What were the main factors in your decision to attend UMass?
UMass is a large D-I school. It has my major, which is Engineering. I felt welcomed by Coach (Greg) Cannella and his staff. The team made me feel welcome as well. Coach Cannella and the team is one family, and that is what I’m used to.
My brother, Michael, is at UMass. It was very special to play with him at the varsity level in high school. This will be even more special to play alongside him at the D-I level.
Speaking of Michael, how big a factor did the fact he plays for UMass play in your decision?
On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d say a solid 5. Michael and I are very close and it will be an honor to play with him at UMass.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
Delaware, Stony Brook, St. John’s and Loyola.
What adjustments do you think you will need to make to play at the next level?
My older brother (Marc Anthony Andreassi) just opened a speed and agility facility called D.N.A. (Dominant Natural Athletics in Hollbrook). He and his staff will be training me to get bigger, stronger, and faster, the necessary adjustments to be ready for the next level.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
As a player, I have good size and strength. As a football player (linebacker and fullback), my body positioning and angles of attack are always important. As a lax L.S.M. and defenseman, I plan to use these strengths.My style of play is very aggressive and I do not like to lose. I am very competitive.
Sachem North has had quite a few players go on to play in college the last couple of years. What do you think the main for that is?
Coach Mauro is a great coach. He preaches family and it is not about wins and losses. It’s about giving 110 percent all the time. I always give 110 percent Coach Mauro has taught us this and I believe that is why so many players have been able to reach the college level in lax.
When did you first realize you had the potential to play at the college level?
I always thought I could reach the college level, but D-I was my goal. Playing on the rising sophomore and rising junior Sufflok County teams two years in a row showed me that I must be pretty good. I was competing against so many great athletes and only 20 could make the team.
I was invited to the Jake Reed Blue Chip Camp as a rising sophomore and junior. I learned that Mr. Reed only does invites. That made me feel good to be invited to such a prestigious camp.
* For more info on Tyler, check out his player profile by clicking here.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Be sure to email us at info@laxlessons.com.
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Posted In: Long Island lacrosse, Recruiting Rundown
