TIM HICKEY - HIS EXPERIENCE WITH RECRUITING AND GETTING TO THE COLLEGE LEVEL

Two time first team Mid-Penn all-star selection, all-american selection, and long pole captain for the Trinity Shamrocks Tim Hickey was kind enough to do an interview with us on his experiences with the recruiting process. Tim shares quite a bit with us about how he came to select his college. Hopefully this can help younger players interested in playing at the next level.

Tim will be attending Holy Cross this fall and playing in the Patriot League. We look forward to following his career and have no doubt big things are in store for this talented player!

(INTERVIEW AFTER THE JUMP)

Tim with Coaches Dave Heisey and DJ Healey

What first brought you to the sport of lacrosse?

My older brother and his friends, who were in middle school at the time, convinced me that lacrosse was a lot more action-packed and exciting than baseball when I was in second grade. I made the switch the following year. 

When did you know this was something you wanted to pursue at the next (college) level?

I really never gave much thought to playing lacrosse in college until the summer after my sophomore year of high school. I attended the Philly Showcase Camp in June, and received interest from a few coaches. When I was told that playing college lacrosse was a possibility for me, I realized it was something I had wanted to do all along. 

What kind of commitments or changes did you need to make to work towards this?

The first thing that became evident to me was that my stick skills were nowhere close to where they needed to be. I went to a wall every day and completed 500 reps with my left hand, then 750 with my right (off hand). I carried my stick around whenever I had free time, practicing fakes and general stick handling. I also hit the weight room 5 times a week, and did footwork drills (ladder, cone drills, etc.) as well as sprints. Finally, I committed myself to doing well in the classroom, because coaches value academics above all other traits players have to offer. 

Can you name one or two factors that were significant to you in your high school experience that helped your elevate your game?

If I had to pick one factor that can determine a player's ability on the field, it would be confidence. I personally have never gone into a game nervous and played well. I take time before every game or competition to visualize myself being successful on the field. If you think you're going to miss a shot, or lose the ball, or throw a bad pass, it will probably happen. You need to be able to believe in your ability and trust that your preparation will pay off. 

How did you first start the recruiting process?

I began getting interest from college coaches after a showcase in the summer of 2012. I realized I would have to find a club team to play for if I wanted to be seen by coaches, and was fortunate enough to get a spot on the NXT 2014 team in Philadelphia. This got me exposure and gave me opportunities to play in front of coaches. From there, the recruiting process took off. 

What were some things you learned that you didn't expect to encounter during this time?

I learned a lot about how to present myself and make a first impression. A fair amount of the recruiting process is how well you communicate with coaches and how they see you as a person, as well as a player. 

Did you have multiple schools you were deciding between?

Yes, I talked to a fair amount of schools throughout the two years I spent in the recruiting process. The schools I was considering the most seriously other than Holy Cross were probably Drexel and Hartford. 

Where there any particular factors that lead you to Holy Cross?

Holy Cross has an outstanding academic reputation, which is what I was looking for when choosing a school. The chance to play high level lacrosse and get a great education while doing it was exactly what I wanted. It was a good fit for me athletically and academically. 

What were some of the things you did during that process that you think were beneficial and young players could benefit from?

Wall ball was definitely the single most important thing I did to improve. Stick skills are a necessary part of the game for any position on the field. Weight lifting was also very helpful, as it not only made me stronger physically but also taught me to push through pain and adversity. 

Now that have you chosen your school and are heading there this fall what are you most looking forward to in regards to lacrosse?

I am most looking forward to competing at a high level every day and getting to be a part of the team. Im also pretty psyched about all the gear. 

Are there any personal goals you have set for yourself for the upcoming season or during your college career you wish to share with us?

I think it's a little too early to set goals for myself heading in as it will be a completely new experience. I hope to make a positive impact on the team, through my play and through my attitude. 

Do you have any advice for players who are interested in playing at the college level and not sure where to start?

Know what you are looking for in a school and keep an open mind. You have to be pretty proactive in the recruiting process; make sure you express your interest to coaches of schools that you are interested in. You have to recruit schools as much as they recruit you. It is rare that a player gets seen by chance.