Since moving from midfield to goaltender in seventh grade, Nate Chung has loved everything about his new position on the lacrosse field.
He’s developed so much so, in fact, that the junior at Ramapo High School in New Jersey is looking forward to continuing to play the game at the College of Holy Cross.
But there’s more to Nate Chung than lacrosse. Lots more.
“I play in an acoustic rock band called ‘Fourshadows,’ ” Chung said. “If I am not doing homework, studying or playing lacrosse, I am probably either at band practice or in the recording studio.”
In fact, Chung says after college, he hopes to be “playing my music in front of thousands of happy people or doing something else that I am passionate about.”
Chung is also passionate about lax — and good at it, too, as evidenced by his highlight reel.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound lefty is not only skilled, but a strong communicator who is known for his poise.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Nate on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
Academic strength, variety of majors/minors, size, location and of course the lacrosse program. Based on these factors, Holy Cross is a great fit for me.
I have always felt like I would fit in at a smaller Liberal Arts school and I prefer an urban setting. On my visits to campus, I easily envisioned myself at Holy Cross making a difference as a student and lacrosse player.
The entire coaching staff made me feel very comfortable throughout the recruiting process and I can’t wait to play for them and compete against the incredible talent in the Patriot League. The only bad part is that I have to wait almost two years until I step foot on campus as a student-athlete.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I also considered Bucknell, Middlebury and Bates. All of these schools have the blend of academics and athletics I was looking for. All of the coaches are great people who made the process enjoyable for me and all of the campuses are beautiful.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My biggest strength is my ability to stay calm and relaxed between the pipes and during the clear. Another strength is my ability to communicate effectively with my defense. I use my positive personality to focus on the next save rather than a let-up goal.
What areas of your game have you been working to improve on?
I am focusing on always being in position, set and ready to make each save, regardless of where it comes from on the field. With hard work, I expect all aspects of my game to improve.
What travel team did you play on and what were some of the big showcase events you participated in last summer?
I play with Leading Edge and the coaches there have done great things for me. Last summer, my team attended the NSCLA Championship, King of the Hill, Crab City Challenge, Jersey Shootout and NSCLA Young Guns. We had a successful summer winning three of those tournaments. I also attended New England Top 150.
Who have been some of the biggest influences on you during your development as a player?
My Leading Edge team and coaches have made me a better player always trying to improve my game. My Leading Edge teammates have shown me that playing with great players brings all of us to a higher level, as does playing against strong competition.
My varsity coach and teammates at Ramapo also encourage me to become a better player and I am really looking forward to this season.
* For more info on Nate, check out his player profile by clicking here.
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Posted In: New Jersey lacrosse, Recruiting Rundown
Great story – and sounds like a great kid.