Ian Mackin '16 Recruiting Profile

Having grown up with an older brother and sister who both (in a family where all four kids) played lacrosse, I had a stick in my hand as far back as I can remember. Bainbridge lacrosse has always had a goal to start all players at a young age, teaching both the game and the importance of giving back to the community. Older players are expected to mentor younger players as youth coaches, and role models. Younger players are invited to play with returning college players during summer league, building skills and confidence and having a sense of inclusion and what "team" means modeled for them. It's a part of leadership that we learn to emulate and pass on to the incoming freshman as they move up.

That expectation of leadership has also helped me find a place to give back at school. I have been able to be a part of a select group of Lacrosse players who share lunch weekly with a number of our high school's special needs students including our unofficial team manager, Matthew, who is one of these students. Having a special bond from lunch, to the bench, to the field has allowed me to be a part of helping Matthew have his own Bainbridge Lacrosse experience.

Lacrosse has also helped me to further develop my work ethic. Even if I wasn't the best player on the team, I have never allowed myself to be outworked on the field or in the off-season. For the past three years I have lifted weights before school, in season and out, as well as worked to increase my speed and agility on the field. My goals for the current season are not only to better my self as an athlete but as a student athlete. I greatly regretting letting my freshman and sophomore grades slip. The college recruiting process has opened my eyes to how big a role academics play. I know that with my work ethic I can succeed not only on the field but in the classroom as well, and I plan to pull my up my GPA significantly in these coming months.

One thing that sets me apart from my teammates is the amount of time I also spend working part-time. I have mowed lawns, done hauling and run my own lawn maintenance business since I was 9 years old. The money originally went to help my family with groceries during a very tough period when my father lost his business and we lost our family home.  As we've begun to recover financially I have continued to work and now am using my earnings to restore a 1968 Camaro. I have learned to balance work, athletics and academics, and keep my eye on my goals, whether they are to bench 300 lbs., set a record number of ground balls this coming season, or drive my fully restored car by the end of my Senior year. The sense of accomplishment outweighs the hard work, and it's a strong part of the drive that will make me an asset to my college team as both a player and teammate.

I am always looking ahead for new goals and what I can do to reach them. Playing college lacrosse will be next up on my list, and I'm excited for a game plan so I can get to work.