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It’s a short ride from Ballston Spa High School in upstate New York to the University at Albany.
But it’s a big leap in terms of level of play.
And it’s one Sam Swingruber is looking forward to making.
Swingruber became the Great Danes’ second 2018 tristate commit earlier this week, a decision first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section.
The 6-foot-2, 165 pound Swingruber, a righty, is an aggressive and athletic player with a strong upside.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Sam on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
I mainly wanted to go to UAlbany because of their style of play. The coaching staff allows their players to enjoy the game on the field and play freely without worrying about making a mistake and getting yelled at.
Also, Albany is where I grew up and it is nice not being so far away from home.
What other schools were you considering and what other schools did you visit?
While I was contacting UAlbany and talking to the coaches, I was in contact with a couple of other schools such as the University of Massachusetts, Rutgers and Binghamton.
Have you decided what academic major you want to pursue?
Yes, I am very interested in Homeland Security which was just recently added to their school (as a major).
Other schools I looked into did not have this major, so this really gave UAlbany the upper hand when it came time to choosing where I wanted to play.
What are your strengths as a player?
I’ve spent a lot of time working on both hands. My dominant hand is right but I can confidently shoot left both time and room and on the run which most sophomores my age struggle with. Also, I believe I have a rare combination of speed and height that I use to my advantage both on defense and offense.
How would you describe your style of play?
I excel mainly on offense but with my height and quickness I can also contribute on the defensive side of the ball.
What area of your game do you need to work on?
Normally in high school lacrosse, I am used to relying on my pure athleticism to be proficient on the field, but moving up to the Division I level, I know there will be players with the same, if not better, athleticism.
I’m going to need to not only get stronger and faster but more importantly improve on my on the field knowledge.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse?
My older brother’s good friend Peter Vadney, who now is a freshman at Le Moyne, which is a consistent national championship contender year to year at the Division II level, introduced me to lacrosse when I was just in fourth grade and taught me a lot of what I know today.
What other sports have you played?
All my life, hockey has been big. I started skating when I was very little and haven’t stopped. I currently play for the Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa hockey team.
What travel team do you play on?
I have been playing with Team United for the past three years, which was a huge advantage because I was being coached by the UAlbany staff.
What showcase events did you participate in?
I have participated in Towson Top 205, Capital Showcase in UAlbany twice, both in the summer and fall, UMass Prospect Day and also many tournaments with Team United.
Any final thoughts and people you’d like to thank for reaching this point?
I would like to say how excited I am to be attending the University of Albany and playing for their team.
I would also like to thank my friends and family for their support.
Also I want to give a huge thank you to my United coach, Coach Skully, who always believed in me and talked to many coaches to come watch me play.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Send an email to info@laxlessons.com, contact Joe Lombardi directly at joe@laxlessons.com or send a Tweet to @Joe_Lombardi or @LaxLessons.
LaxLessons’ Recruiting Rundown section: LaxLessons’ Fall 2015 Signing Week coverage
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Posted In: Recruiting Rundown, Section 2, Upstate New York Lacrosse
