Men's Lacrosse | 12/23/2020 9:58:36 AM
Ben Cafolla returns for his final season with the Alfred University men's lacrosse team in 2020-21. A four-year starter, Cafolla helped lead Alfred to a 4-2 mark in 2020. He played in 13 games for the Saxons in 2019, causing 21 turnovers. Cafolla played in a career-best 15 games during the 2018 season, recording 27 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers.
A native of Seneca Falls, NY, Cafolla has appeared in 48 career contests with the Saxons, compiling 84 ground balls to go along with 64 caused turnovers. Cafolla, who earned his undergraduate degree in accounting and is working on his masters degree in business administration, is a Chio Alpha Sigma Honor Society member who holds a 3.59 cumulative grade-point average.
Ben Cafolla - Why I Play
Institution: Alfred University
Sport/Position: Lacrosse/Defense
Academic Major:
- Undergraduate: Accounting (Major) Finance (Minor)
- Graduate: M.B.A with focus in Accounting
GPA: 3.44
Class Year: Graduate Student
Academic Honors/Clubs/Community Service Roles?
- Member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.
- Member of Delta Mu Delta Honor Society
- Member of the Pacioli Society Campus Honor Society in Accounting
- Member of Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society
- ECAC Academic Honor Roll
- Campus clean up with the AU Men’s Lacrosse Team
- Former member of Alfred University’s Student Managed Investment Fund
What Have You Done During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Stay Active and What Are Some Positive Effects of the Pandemic You Have Experienced?
The COVID-19 pandemic certainly made things turn upside-down, especially with having my senior season cut short due to it. It was tough to stay active during the pandemic due to gyms being closed, but I tried to get out and go for runs and play wall ball as often as I could. One positive effect of the pandemic has really been testing my ability to adapt to an extremely volatile environment. With new data every day and being in uncharted waters in terms of the situation, it has taught me to make the most of it and adapt what I do in order to remain compliant with COVID-19 guidelines. One other positive would be it helped me gain a stronger appreciation for the sport I play. Having my career seemingly ripped away and cut short, it truly made me realize I took it all for granted; but I’m excited to give it one last go!
What Role has Lacrosse Played in your Personal Development?
Playing lacrosse at Alfred University has affected me in more ways than I could count. It has helped me with my time management skills, my ability to learn, and most importantly it instilled in me to give your all at everything in life. It truly has shaped me into a person who I am proud to be.
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 second grade, though I stopped during 5th and 6th grade to play Little League baseball. I went back in 7th grade because I realized how much I love the intensity of the sport, the speed of it, and the community surrounding it. Growing up, I also played football and basketball until I graduated high school.
Any Superstitions When It Comes to Pregame Rituals/Training?
I listen to the same two songs before we leave the locker room to take the field and always read Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “The Charge of the Light Brigade” when I wake up on game day.
Why Did You Decide to Attend Alfred?
I chose to attend Alfred because of the strong sense of community I felt. It’s a small university in a small town, and I grew up in a small town so I was very comfortable right off the bat. The coaches were the right fit for me in terms of coaching style and demeanor, and the small class size really sold me as well.
How has Playing Collegiately and in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College?
Playing collegiately and in the Empire 8 has prepared me for life in a myriad of ways. I’d say the most important is the ability to meet new people and come together for a common good. This is crucial for entering the workforce, because we will all more than likely be surrounded by people we have hardly or never met before and be expected to get the job done cohesively. Another is being able to do things the right way. If you want to succeed and improve, taking shortcuts won’t get you there.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College:
My favorite athletic memory from my time in college has to be beating Nazareth by sophomore year because it was the first time Alfred had done that since 1997. The cherry on top was the fact that I scored my first goal that game as well.
Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: Khalil Mack/Chicago Bears
Favorite Movie: The Green Mile
Favorite TV Show: The Punisher
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Guy’s Grocery Games
Favorite Food: Boneless Wings
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I’m the best Guitar Hero player in the Empire 8, all challengers welcome.
Advice to Younger Student-Athletes on Why You Chose to Play a Collegiate Sport and Why Playing A Sport is So Important/Beneficial?
Playing a sport is beneficial in so many ways. The number one being it teaches you how to be a part of a team and to work together with others. When choosing to play a collegiate sport, the most important thing is the fact that it gives you a group of people to hang out with and get close to right away. It almost negates the awkward stage of trying to find a friend group when you first move in. The best decision I have ever made was to attend Alfred University and play lacrosse, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
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.
EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube –
Facebook –
Twitter –
Instagram