Duke has become a family affair for the Shaffers.
John Shaffer is a sophomore midfielder for the Blue Devils’ men’s team.
Hayler Shaffer will be a freshman on the Blue Devils’ women’s team.
And Reed Shaffer, a Class of 2015 midfielder for national power Delbarton (N.J.), is up next. Shaffer committed to Duke earlier this week, a major commitment that was first reported when it was made by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s “Lacrosse Insider” section.
“It’s going to be very cool to be on the same team with John my freshman year when he is a senior,” Reed said.
The latest Shaffer to wear the blue and white is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound righty whose speed and shiftiness allow hm to excel in transition.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Reed on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
The main reasons I chose Duke are the rich history of lacrosse, (Duke Head) Coach (John) Danowski and his staff have created, the strong academics, and the great experience my older brother, John, had his freshman year. I know from his experiences that in going to Duke I will be challenged both on the field and in the classroom.
How big a factor were your siblings both playing at Duke and your familiarity with the campus?
My brother, John, and sister, Hayley, who is going to be a freshman on the girls lacrosse team next year, played a major role in my decision. I got the inside scoop from John on what practices and the coaches were like at Duke and immediately could picture myself going there.
Visiting the campus multiple times to watch John play also helped in my decision as I was able to see what day to day life for a Duke lacrosse player was like. It’s always great when he comes home and teaches me the drills and skills he learned.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I took visits to Georgetown and Yale and also considered Cornell, Harvard and Villanova.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My speed and shiftiness. I constantly look to get momentum on my team’s side by pushing the tempo, converting in transition and getting possession on faceoffs.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse and what other sports have you played?
I started playing lacrosse in second grade for my town after watching my older siblings play. I have also played football for Delbarton and will run track this winter.
What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I play for Patriot Lacrosse and was invited to Nike Blue Chip, Adrenaline Black Card Showcase and Maverik Showtime.
Any final thoughts?
I want to thank (Delbarton Head) Coach (Chuck) Ruebling and the Delbarton coaching staff as well as all the other great coaches I have had in the past who have taught me to play lacrosse the right way. I also want to thank my family for introducing me to the game and supporting me all these years.
Congrats Reed! Great news…