Lebanon Valley College's athletics programs have rosters that comprise players from several different areas of the United States and other countries, including many who have traveled thousands of miles to attend LVC. These student-athletes decided to join the Dutchmen because of the academic and athletic opportunities.
Lebanon Valley Softball first baseman Julia Craig is originally from Chino Hills, California. She heard about the College because members of the coaching staff attended softball tournaments she competed in during high school. Head Coach Scot Adams also expressed interest in Craig joining the team, prompting her to visit campus twice before committing to the Dutchmen. This included an overnight visit where she attended classes and spent time with the team. The graduate student expressed that these experiences led her to attend LVC.
"It crossed off everything on my checklist I was looking for in a college," Craig said. "It had a real college environment, strong academics, and a sense of school pride where I felt I would be valued as an athlete."
Adam Jirik, a sophomore infielder for LVC's Baseball team, is from Melbourne, Australia, and also made the trip to campus before deciding on the College. Despite being over 10,000 miles away from home, he instantly knew Lebanon Valley was where he wanted to pursue his goals.
"I was lucky enough to come over to the States in 2022 to look at some of the schools I got recruited by and was able to meet Head Coach Jonas Fester and some of my future teammates," Jirik said. "The visit helped me decide on coming to LVC because I immediately felt at home, both due to the campus vibe and meeting the guys on the team."
The Lebanon Valley's Women's Ice Hockey team also has multiple players from other countries and states, including sophomore forward Anna Dale from Juneau, Alaska. Dale conveyed that she has greatly enjoyed her experience as a student-athlete at Lebanon Valley, as she has been supported by her Nursing professors and Women's Ice Hockey coaches. While the sophomore has had a great experience at the College, she said she had to adapt to living in a new area.
"Going to school in Pennsylvania has definitely been an adjustment, as the environment here is so different," Dale said. "Arriving in the August heat was something I had to get used to since summer at home rarely gets above 70 degrees. Additionally, I have never lived more than a few miles from the ocean or been unable to look out my window and see a mountain."
Given the distance between her home and the campus, it is difficult for Dale to go home to Alaska much during the academic year. The sophomore expressed that the team's camaraderie has made this transition easier.
"Winter break is the only time I can go back, which has been challenging since I've never been away from my family or dogs for this long," Dale said. "However, my team and coaches always organize gatherings or dinners on holidays so that international students and those of us who live far away aren't alone. This is one of my favorite things about LVC's coaching staff and team."
Kellen Markley, a junior goalkeeper on Lebanon Valley's Men's Lacrosse team, is originally from North Bend, Washington, and echoed a similar sentiment to Dale by saying that the College has a strong sense of community. The junior said that he knows each of his professors wants him to succeed, which mirrors the positive environment created by LVC Athletics.
"I love being a student-athlete at LVC. I have made friendships that I know will last a lifetime," Markley said. "We call each other family on the Men's Lacrosse team, and I truly feel that way. I know my teammates will have my back and support me no matter what, just as I would do for them.
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