The Doors That Lacrosse Opened For Me
By Matt Danowski

I never thought that I could attend a top 5 university academically, but my hard work in the classroom and on/off the field allowed me to, and I am forever grateful to my family for reminding me of that everyday. Striving for excellence on the field paved the way for striving for excellence in the classroom. And so, I was on my way to Duke University.

I was fortunate to have the best of both worlds at Duke — a first-rate school AND a top-notch lacrosse program. Knowing that there would have to be a financially viable life after college, I continued to work hard at my grades. And on the field, I continued to do what it took to excel. I had individual honors — the 2005 and 2007 Jack Turnbull Award recipient as the nation's Top Attackman, the 2007 Tewaaraton Trophy recipient as the national player of the year, the 2007 and 2008 Lieutenant Enner's Award

recipient as the national player of the year. But I was playing on a great team. And that sense of TEAM was only heightened after Duke Lacrosse went through the unfortunate and unfounded scandal that took away one of our seasons. I was proud to be named Captain of my teammates. And during that time of redemption, having the leadership qualities of empathy, strategy, consideration, encouragement, motivation, etc. helped shape the road ahead.

The doors kept opening. My Duke experience (both on and off the field) suddenly had me being the second overall pick in the 2008 MLL draft. I was actually playing professional lacrosse for the NJ Pride. And at the end of my first (shortened) season, I was voted an MLL All-Star.

What lacrosse has done for me is allowed me to experience some unbelievable things that I could never have imagined. Lacrosse was sort of the foundation for the good things that