Joey Ford’s Lacrosse Tenacity and “Puppy Dog Enthusiasm”

joey-ford-lacrosse-boys

Joey Ford is a standout on the lacrosse field and someone to keep an eye on this spring.

The senior has been at Williston for four years, starting on the boys varsity lacrosse team every year. He is one of few college commits on this year’s team, and arguably the best offensive player on the field.

Joey, from East Longmeadow, Mass., co-captains the team.

“I think it’s an honor to play for such a great school, coaching staff, and with a bunch of good kids,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of great friends over the last four years, and many great memories on the lacrosse field.”

Joey said it has been his childhood dream—ever since he picked up a lacrosse stick in second grade—to play in college. And his dream, in fact, is coming true: he recently committed to play Division I college lacrosse next year at Merrimack College, in North Andover, Mass.

“I think it’s a great opportunity and school,” Joey said. “I am excited to get things going there and meet new people.”

Hunter Sarro ’19, the other captain on the team, enjoys playing lacrosse with Joey and has learned a lot from him.

“I have played with Joey for two years now, and it is a great learning experience,” Hunter said. “He knows the game in and out, but also has a fun side to him, so it makes lacrosse more enjoyable than it already is. He a good leader, and sets an example for the younger kids on the team.”

Hunter lives in Ford Hall with Joey, and the two can always be found hanging out together.

“Living in the same dorm as Joey is always a fun time,” Hunter said. “Whether it is hanging with him after study hall or seeing him during free blocks, I find myself laughing most of the time. We play Xbox together all the time, including duos on Fortnite.”

Chris Dietrich, assistant lacrosse coach, said Joey is a great role model and brings an unrivaled excitement to the field for the Wildcats.

“Joey has always been one of our most passionate guys, he loves playing lacrosse and doing anything related to lacrosse,” said Dietrich. “He is always very positive with his teammates and tries to get guys fired up and spread the love.”

Off the field, Coach Dietrich explained that Joey sometimes seems like a “big puppy dog” because of his enthusiasm, and he brings that positive energy everyday for his team.

 

This story originally ran in The Willistonian.