Chad Sawyer is a chief contributor to the Connecticut College Men’s Lacrosse team. A junior Economics major and Sociology minor, he strives to represent the team at the top of the NESCAC and on the NCAA Division III level. Sawyer has excelled in the Division III athletic environment.
“The NESCAC is the most competitive conference from top to bottom in Division III, and that was a deal breaker in picking Connecticut College,” said Sawyer. “Knowing that any team in the conference can win on any given day keeps it exciting.”
Sawyer hails from Chicago, IL and has wanted to play lacrosse in college on the East Coast since his lacrosse career started ten years ago. Division III men’s lacrosse has the largest amount of participant schools across all divisions with 189 teams, providing a competitive and rigorous challenge to rise to the top.
“Our goal since before the first time I stepped on the field here has been to win a NESCAC Championship. It has never been accomplished in our school’s history, so it’s definitely the paramount goal we have each and every season,” said Sawyer.
That goal is far from unrealistic. Last season alone, the team made an impressive run on the national scene, qualifying for the semifinals and finishing the regular season with a 12-4 record. This season the team is up 8-5 with only NESCAC games ahead of them, providing the opportunity for a solid NESCAC seed.
“Very similar to the teams of the past few years, we have tons of talent,” said Sawyer. “We have come out to a hot start this season and look to continue that success.”
Throughout his lacrosse career, Sawyer has always held an offensive position as an attacker; his primary job of scoring goals ensures the Camels end the game on top. However, before his blue and white debut, Sawyer participated in a variety of sports he recognizes as solidifying his threat on the lacrosse field.
“You name it, I’ve played it: anything from tennis to hockey to basketball. The more sports you play growing up, the better,” said Sawyer. “It helps build character, mental toughness, and discipline, which ultimately help in any sport you play.”
These qualities are consistently tested and redefined in a fast paced lacrosse match. Sawyer, number 32, describes the most challenging game this season as a 13-21 loss to Tufts University.
“We came out to a flat start and dug ourselves a huge hole that we couldn’t get out of. We’ve taken lessons from that game and learned from them so we don’t make similar mistakes going forward,” said Sawyer.
A defining component of any athlete’s success is the ability to play presumed weaker opponents with the same tenacity as stronger ones, a skill that head coach Dave Cornell emphasizes.
“We need to stay level-headed and focused,” said Sawyer. “Our coach always tells us, ‘Don’t play up or down to your competition, just play great lacrosse.’ That is what we try to do each game regardless of the opponent.”
This past fall Sawyer studied abroad, proving with 19 goals this season that his time away from campus did not hinder his lacrosse abilities.
“The off season is a huge contributor to an athlete’s success,” said Sawyer. “Even while I was abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, I was able to participate in CrossFit four to five days a week. Despite not playing any lacrosse I was still able to stay in shape and become more athletic, so putting the work in the off season absolutely makes a difference to on field performance.”
Sawyer has fond memories of his three years at Connecticut College, with a few outstanding season highlights. Freshman year in his first collegiate competition he scored on his high school lacrosse goalie, an exploited opportunity that he has not let his old teammate forget.
“Sophomore year, I once again scored the game winner against my old high school goalie with eight seconds left,” said Sawyer. “The next game I scored six goals and we beat our big rival Tufts who we hadn’t beaten in many years. This year the rest is still unwritten.”
“Chad has been a hard working guy since he arrived on campus as a freshmen,” said Cornell. “He has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches.”
As the season continues Sawyer and the men’s lacrosse team will continue to strive for Connecticut College’s coveted first NESCAC championship.
“Without a doubt we are the biggest team on campus,” said Sawyer. “Everyone from top to bottom is fun and outgoing – always keeping a mentality to work hard, play hard.”
