If you’ve been with us regularly since the National Letter of Intent Fall Early Signing Week ended less than a month ago, you know that since then, there’s been a steady stream of verbal commitments involving sophomores. Including this past week as we discussed in our weekly look at tristate lax for InsideLacrosse.com.
If you were us yesterday afternoon on Twitter, you learned of a major commitment involving a junior.
John van de Veerdonk, a junior attackman at Putnam Valley, verbally committed to Georgetown University.
Recruiting interest in van de Veerdonk spiked this past summer after a strong showing at Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip Camp.
The 5-foot-10, 150-pound van de Veerdonk, a righty, is known for his stick skills and speed.
An adept dodger, he first picked up a lacrosse stick in the second grade and mentored under his brother, Jimmy van de Veerdonk, an All-America midfielder for Put Valley who is now a junior at Oneonta State.
Now, here’s a Q&A with the latest van de Veerdonk headed to play college lacrosse:
What were the main factors in your decision?
Georgetown really stood out from all of the other schools that I visited.
Academically, it has many majors that spark my interest. I was looking for a school with a strong math and science program and Georgetown was the one. They are also opening a new science building in 2012.
Also, Georgetown is known for having a very strong lacrosse program. After meeting the lacrosse players and having (Assistant) Coach (Matt) Kerwick show me around the campus, I knew this school was for me.
It seemed to be the perfect fit and I was very comfortable the whole time I was there.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I considered many schools in the beginning, but narrowed it down to Princeton, Dartmouth, Binghamton, Bryant, Lafayette and Salisbury.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
I think that I’m a very strong and fast dodger especially from X. I push the ball real well and can find the open man. I have an eye for the game. I would describe my style of play as quick with great change of direction.
I have become a stronger lacrosse player over the last few years thanks to the excellent coaching from my high school coach Brian Kuczma (the former Yorktown High School, Johns Hopkins University and MLL standout).
What areas of your game do you think you need to improve on?
I think I need to mostly work on finishing when I come around the cage from X. Also I think I need to work on my lefty shot on the run from X.
When did you first realize you had the potential to play at the college level?
I always dreamed of playing Division I lacrosse. I first realized that I had the potential to play at the college level when I got invited to Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip camp. I knew that this was my chance to showcase my skill in front of the top Division I colleges.
What were some of the big summer showcase events you’ve competed in the last couple of years and how did you do at them?
This past summer I attended Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip where I got to show my skill. I also played in the fall Blue Chip in Charolette and thought I did a very good job at that one as well.
For more info on John, check out his player profile by clicking here.
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Posted In: Recruiting Rundown, Section 1
Congrats Johnnie, keep working hard. Now you can focus on getting the hardware. Bring it back to the Valley.
Great job Johnny! $HARD NOW EASY LATER$
Good athlete with good skills. Obviously a great student too. Congrats!
[…] senior attackman, who is headed to Georgetown University, is one of the leading returnees in the Hudson […]
[…] senior attackman, who is headed to Georgetown University, is one of the leading returnees in the Hudson […]
Have a great 2013 season John!