My Journey to College Lacrosse - Kyle Robinson (BMS '08)top
Playing college lacrosse is an aspiration for many young student-athletes. Playing college lacrosse allows an athlete to further his playing and educational careers, while continuing to open additional doors of opportunity for their future.
To play lacrosse at the college level, an athlete must display the ability to succeed on the field, in the classroom and show a coach that he will contribute in a positive way to the environment and culture within a college team.
As they prepared for the 2011 season, BMS Insider checked-in with former Burnaby Mountain Selects players to reflect back on their journey and talk about some of the experiences that they went through to fulfill their dream of playing lacrosse at the collegiate level...
Name: Kyle Robinson (BMS '08)
Hometown: New Westminster, BC
High School: New Westminster Secondary
College: McGill University
Location: Montreal, QC
League: CUFLA
Class: Sophomore
Position: Defense
Major: Chemistry; Minor: Kinesiology
How did you decide where to go to school?
Tim Murdoch (McGill Lacrosse coach) sent me a recruiting letter after a tournament in Florida; I talked to him several times and sent in my application. Over the summer, a then senior player on the team, who plays Senior A for the Burnaby Lakers, Jake Safarik convinced me to accept and come to McGill.
What has the transition been like from High School to University?
University is a lot more work than High School; however, it is a lot more fun too, especially living with friends.
What do you like about your school academically?
I like that is one of the top academically renowned schools in Canada for its strong Faculty of Science and its Engineering programs.
What do you like about playing lacrosse at your school?
I like to contribute to a developing program becoming successful through my on-field and off-field contributions.
What’s in your lacrosse bag?
Helmet, gloves, cleats, shoulder pads, jersey, water bottle, extra strings and a spare head. Nothing too exciting.
What valuable lessons did you learn from the recruiting process?
It is never too early to start the recruiting process, even in grade 10. Starting by researching schools of interest, writing SATs, getting exposure and making a recruiting profile will make you more organized and open to many opportunities down the road.
What role did your family have in helping you get to where you are now?
It was a tough decision to decide to travel across the country to attend school for four years; however, my family was a huge part in encouraging and facilitating me to be able to go.
Favourite on-field memory from being part of the Burnaby Mountain Selects program?
Being part of the first BMS team and winning the Seattle Space Needle Tournament.
Favourite off-field memory from your travels with the Burnaby Mountain Selects?
The first trip I went on with BMS was to the Maryland where we visited Johns Hopkins University, went to the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame and played in our first tournament together. The on-field and off-field experience with our team was awesome.
ABOVE: Inaugural BMS Elite Team at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX); Selects enjoying the first-ever Maple Leaf Awards Dinner in 2006.
What coaching tips have had the biggest impact on your game?
The best coaching tip that has had an impact on my game is that when you’re in a big game, don’t let your highs get too high or your lows get too low.
What advice would you give younger BMS players aspiring to play at the collegiate level?
Work hard, play harder and your opportunities will come.
