Women's Lacrosse | 11/4/2020 10:58:08 AM
Sydney DeGirolamo returns for her third season with the St. John Fisher women's lacrosse team in 2020-21. DeGirolamo, the 2019 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, was also named First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference that season in leading the Cardinals to the league title. She broke the program's all-time single record for most draw controls in a single season with 119 and capped off her first season with 40 goals and 39 assists.
In 2020, DeGirolamo was off to a blistering start with 10 goals, 18 points and 25 draw controls in just three games before the season ended due to COVID-19. A native of Manlius, NY, DeGirolamo is a doctor of pharmacy major. She is a standout in the classroom as with a 3.66 grade-point average.
Sydney DeGirolamo - Why I Play
Institution: St. John Fisher College
Sport/Position: Women's Lacrosse/Attack, Draw
Academic Major: Doctor of Pharmacy
GPA: 3.66
Class Year: Junior
Academic Honors/Clubs/Community Service Roles?
Member of the Dean’s List (Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021) I served as President of the Pre-Pharmacy Club. I am a member of the Student Society of Health System Pharmacists (SSHP) and the national affiliate to SSHP, the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP).
What Have You Done During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Stay Active and What Are Some Positive Effects of the Pandemic You Have Experienced?
I’ve enjoyed getting creative on outdoor runs and workouts. Something positive I’ve gained from the COVID pandemic has been to adopt the mindset of making the best of any situation I’m in. I’m grateful each time I can step on the field with my coaches and teammates and just play. There are a lot of things going on that are out of our control so not worrying about that and focusing on what I can control has helped me stay positive!
What Role has Lacrosse Played in your Personal Development?
Playing lacrosse taught me how to enjoy working hard with my teammates and people I care about. It’s something that I think has carried over into other aspects of my life and has taught me that there is much more value and satisfaction in achieving a goal that you and your team have worked hard for together, than trying to go at it alone.
At what age did you start playing lacrosse and what made you stay with it? Did you play any other sports growing up?
I started playing lacrosse in first grade. I stuck with it because I had so much fun playing and knew it was something that I would want to pursue in college. Growing up I was an alpine ski racer and also played soccer and ran cross country.
Any Superstitions When It Comes to Pregame Rituals/Training? No! I’ll play anywhere, any time.
Why Did You Decide to Attend St. John Fisher?
I decided to attend St. John Fisher because it had both the academic and athletic prestige I was looking for. When I visited the campus and met all of the girls on the team and Coach Michele, I knew it was the place for me.
How has Playing Collegiately and in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College?
Playing in the Empire 8 so far has been such a blast. We get to play some tough teams and at the same time are able to find new ways of getting creative on the field! Life after college will definitely require a balance of hard work and creative decision making which I think playing collegiate lacrosse has instilled in me.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College: In 2019, we scored a one up goal against William Smith at home with 10 seconds left in the game.
Favorite Professional Athlete: Serena Williams
Favorite Movie: The Sound of Music
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Quantico
Favorite Food: Tortilla chips and guacamole
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate and vanilla twist with rainbow sprinkles
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I’ve never broken a bone.
Advice to Younger Student-Athletes on Why You Chose to Play a Collegiate Sport and Why Playing A Sport is So Important/Beneficial?
My advice to younger athletes would be to enjoy every minute of it. Enjoy each moment you spend playing your sport and being with your teammates, on and off the field. Playing a sport was such an easy decision for me because I knew it would help me with my time management, but I’ve also learned things from my coaches and teammates that I don’t think I would have if I didn’t choose to play lacrosse at Fisher.
The Empire 8 Conference's “Why I Play” Series features a student-athlete from one of its member institutions who discusses devotion to its respective sport.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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