Come back every Thursday for Athlete Interviews on college recruiting and advice.
Zach Geddes is a senior on the Georgetown University lacrosse team. He has had a long list of successes both athletically and academically while at Georgetown, and has found himself in two NCAA tournament games. As a lead player on the team, Zach talked with us about what it takes to be recruited and successful at the DI level.
What is the best piece of advice that Coach Warne has given you?
Coach Warne has called “go 1-0.” Basically, it means focus on the task at hand, and when you complete one task, move on to the next and go 1-0 in that task too. It means if you take care of the little things, a team's bigger goals will take care of themselves. You can't go undefeated without first starting 1-0.
Related: Priorities for College Athletes
What GPA would you recommend for high school lacrosse players if they want to compete at Georgetown?
I would aim for a 3.5 GPA or above. It depends on the classes that you take, but I would say a 3.5 is safe.
What are the 3 main characteristics that a recruit will need to have if they want to play DI Lacrosse?
1. Strong Work ethic: in DI, your sport is your job. If you don't have a strong work ethic you will not succeed
2. Discipline: there are always nights where everyone else at the school is going out or going on spring break and you have to stay home or sit out because of practice, so discipline in those situations is key.
3. Love to compete: there has to be something that drives you to play since you are playing all the time. If you just love to compete you will be fine in a DI setting.
Related: Harvard's Assistant Tennis Coach Talks Character, Grades, and Resources
Should recruits mentally prepare themselves to be versatile in playing different positions?
Definitely. Ultimately a coach is going to put you in a position that is going to help the team, whether you like it or not. I went into college as a primarily offensive player; within the first 3 weeks I was moved and now I play primarily defense. I embraced the move and did not get upset or complain, and it has really worked out for me over the last three years.
How can a player get kicked off the team?
Consistently breaking team rules by being late or missing practice. Or by breaking larger team rules such as drinking on an away trip. Our rule is be a good guy, and if you pretend your parents or coach is with you when you make every decision, you will have no issue
What quality in a lacrosse player makes a great teammate?
Loyalty. I would say knowing a guy has your back and is loyal to you and the rest of the program is the most important quality to have as a teammate.
Related: Coach Hird on What Makes a Good Coach and Good Athletic Citizen
What advice can you give young lacrosse athletes on how they should be using social media to their advantage. What is a big NO when it comes to athletes being on social media?
My advice would be stay off social media. There is too much opportunity for young kids to mess up on it. Stick to posting about sports and your games. DO NOT post about parties or drinking etc. Believe it or not, coaches definitely look at that stuff.
Related: Columbia, Brown, and MIT Coaches Talk about Social Media
What is the biggest difference between playing high school lacrosse and playing college lacrosse?
The biggest difference is the mental side. You have to learn so much about the offensive and defensive systems, and if you do not know it, you will not play. Every guy on the team is a great athlete. Those who play know the mental side of the game just as well as they know the physical parts. I have seen so many All-American recruits across the country go to schools and not play because they could [not] figure out the offensive or defensive system.
When and how should high school athletes start reaching out to coaches?
I would start by emailing coaches about the upcoming tournaments you are attending after your freshman year of high school.
Related: 5 Ways to Gain Attention from College Lacrosse Recruiters
If you had to do the recruiting process over again, what would you change?
I wouldn't change much. I ended up at the place I was meant to be at. I guess the age at which recruiting started. I picked Georgetown at 16 years old. I wish I was a little older.
Biggest do and don't of going on an official visit?
Ask questions! Ask both the players and coaches. Do not try to be the man; just soak it all in, learn as much as possible and you will have a great visit.
Related: What They Don't Tell You About Your Overnight Trip
If you had to advise recruits, what should they do the summer before coming into Georgetown to prepare for the season?
Be ready to learn and get physically in shape, so all you have to worry about when you come in the fall is learning the systems.
What is your go-to-meal before a big game?
We have this insane Italian place in Georgetown called Filomena. I usually get Rigatoni with some grilled chicken and vodka sauce the night before a game.
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* Originally published on February 17, 2022, by Mariah Redler
