From Junior College to Division One Lacrosse: The Bigger, Fatter, and Slower Syracuse Orangeman

The summer before the start of my first semester at Syracuse I set my mind on earning a position as starting defensemen during fall ball. I somehow got in my head that a division 1 defensemen had to bigger and stronger than I was at the time—6’ 1’’180 pounds. Today I would be small by division one standards where the average defensemen are taller than me and over two hundred pounds. Without consulting any strength trainer I went on this self-inflicted weight and strength gaining regiment. In retrospect, I lifted my folk and spoon more than I lifted weights. That summer I worked for a catering company doing grunt work for the chiefs at the Con Ed facility luncheonette on the out skirts of Tarrytown. That summer organized Con Ed workers went out on strike for better wages and benefits. The luncheonette staff had to now serve three meals a day to Con Ed managers covering the striking workers. That summer I made lots of money working overtime and I ate like a champ downing lobster thermidor (recipe below) and Rueben sandwiches. I also had unlimited access to cheesecake, carrot cake, and ice cream galore! Over the summery my weight went from 178 to 205. Moreover, in late August, I underwent surgery on both knees to remedy tendonitis developed at Herk. In my last year at Herk I played on the basketball team to improve my defensive skills. If I could shut down the quickest player on the basketball court I would have few problems covering a shifty attack men. I spent a lot of time trying unsuccessfully to play above the rim; on that caused tendonitis. After hoop I then played the entire lacrosse season without any chance for my knees to heal. I ended up with same knee problems that plagued Dr. J. This is one of the reason why no one every sees me playing in these over the hill thirty and forty something tournaments. Even after the surgery I spent too many post practices and games in excruciating pain and dreading stairs. So between my summer job working in a corporate kitchen and the long recovery from knee surgery, I arrived at Syracuse in the fall of 1983 looking like the butter ball turkey ready for the Thanksgiving Day team meal. I had become bigger, a little bit stronger, and a lot slower then what my defensive coordinator John Desko expected.

Lobster Thermidor Recipe: http://www.cuisine-france.com/recipes/lobster_thermidor.htm