Congratulations to Matthew (and Methodist University, who seems to have a monopoly on Florida recruits lately!) for his college choice and good luck in the future! Name Matthew Pemberton High School Lake Minneola High School Graduation Year 2018 College Choice Methodist University Club Affiliations Lake Lacrosse Scorpions, Lacrosse Club of Orlando     Why did you choose this college? I chose Methodist University because they offered everything on my wish list in a college. Methodist has my major of Criminal Justice, a top 5 nationally ranked Army ROTC program, and a growing and successful lacrosse team. On my official visit, I was very impressed to see how much of a family feel of the team. If the team wasn’t in class or at practice, they were hanging out with each other having a good time. I loved Coach Nedbalski’s vision of a successful team, bonded together through hard work and dedication. I had a chance to be in the weight room with the team and there was nothing but motivation and encouragement through the entire session. Along the visit I had the chance to meet some of the cadre and cadets from the Army ROTC, and I am so excited to become part of their program next year. From the moment I stepped on campus to the moment I left, It felt like Methodist is a place I would love to spend the next four years of my life. What are your first memories of the sport? In the fourth grade, I stopped by the local lacrosse field on my way home from baseball practice and was given information about the upcoming spring season. I was so intrigued that the next season I started lacrosse, and I never looked back. I remember always being the smallest one of the team and carrying a stick that was almost as tall as I was. Since that season, I have met extraordinary people and have had doors open for me that have helped fulfill my lifelong dreams. What part of the process was most surprising to you about the recruiting process and what would you like to pass on to those who are going to face it in the future? The most surprising part of the process was researching schools that looked perfect on paper, but once I visited, turned out to be completely different. A lot of schools I looked at had everything I was looking for, but during the visit the team felt more like individuals instead of a big family. My advice to those facing the recruiting process in the future is to keep your options open and try to picture yourself going there without lacrosse. If you get injured and can’t play, you need to be able to spend 4 years there as a student and get your education. Who would you like to thank for helping you get here? First, I would like to thank my amazing and supportive parents for spending countless amounts of money on lacrosse gear, camps and clinics for me to improve myself; also for driving me to games and practices multiple times a week so I could enjoy the sport I love. Second, I would like to thank my club and high school coaches for shaping me into the player I am today. Without their time and dedication, I would not be here committing to play college lacrosse. To my club coaches Tony Williams and Danny Hogan, thank you for teaching me throughout the years that it takes passion and creativity on the field to have fun and success. To my high school coaches, Bill Larkin and Kyle Johnson, you’ve taught me that nothing is given to you; success comes through hard work and dedication. All the days I was forced to practice with my off-hand and put myself in uncomfortable situations were ugly at first but have given me great vision on the field to distribute and score from all kinds of positions. Without all of you amazing coaches and mentors, I would not be where I am right now and have this amazing opportunity to continue playing the sport I love while getting a quality college education.