Six Student-Athletes Commit to DI Colleges
Stepinac High School’s lacrosse sports program made history today as six outstanding athletes committed to play with Division One universities during the first National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Signing Day. A seventh student, who is a star baseball athlete, also signed to play Division 1 baseball.
On hand to congratulate the students at the ceremony, held in the school’s gymnasium, were their families, teammates, members of Stepinac’s administration, faculty and coaching staffs.
Stepinac’s unprecedented group comprised the largest number of lacrosse players from any high school in Westchester, private and public high school, who were recognized by the NCAA this year.
The six Stepinac lacrosse star athletes and their Division One universities are Sean Fogarty of Yonkers (Long Island University); Andrew Girolamo of Mahopac (Binghamton); Luke lacuone of Mahopac (Monmouth); Brady Sharkey of Tuckahoe; Nolan Sharkey of Tuckahoe (Binghamton); and Matthew Stewart of Cortlandt Manor (UMass – Amherst). Kyle Eddington of Valhalla committed to play Division 1 baseball at University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Two of the players—Brady and Nolan Sharkey—are also identical twin brothers who will continue the next chapter of their academic and athletic education at the same university, Binghamton.
“The NCAA Signing Day represents yet another milestone for Stepinac’s lacrosse program,” declared James Goldmann (Class of ’04), head coach of the Crusaders varsity lacrosse team, adding: “It’s been quite a notable year for them and their teammates for having captured the 2022 CHSAA New York AA championship title. We congratulate them and wish them continued success in their post-secondary pursuits.’
Paul Carty, Principal, noted that Stepinac’s superb student athletes will be joining a very select group of lacrosse and baseball players who will be competing in Division 1 athletics, “which makes theirs a truly singular achievement for them personally and for Stepinac.” According to the NCAA’s 2020 estimated probability of high school lacrosse athletes playing collegiate lacrosse, only 3.1% of them will be selected to play at the top Division 1 level. And less than 2% of high school baseball athletes are accepted to play at Division 1 colleges.
The NCAA also notes that education is at the forefront of Division I’s mission and Division 1 schools collectively award billions of dollars in athletic scholarships each year. “Student-athletes at Division I schools are required to meet specified academic standards to practice and compete in athletics…These criteria ensure that student-athletes are prepared for the rigors of college coursework and are on a path to graduate throughout their college experience. “
For more information, visit www.Stepinac.org.
