Jamison Koesterer: Hopkins Player Joins the Walax Family

We've been searching for a new full time team member to join the  Walax family for quite some time but just couldn't find 'The One'.  A couple of weeks ago the search finally took us to Washington D.C. where we met Jamison Koesterer, a NY Native who played at Johns Hopkins and is one of an elite group of players to have earned two championship rings.

Having a pair of rings wasn't what sold us on Jamison.  Giving his equipment to kids in the stands at the Championship game his senior year was.  We chose Jamison to join our family not just because of his college playing experience, but also for his undying love for the game, great sense of community, and his ability to foster that love in kids he coaches.  Jamison grew up in a time and place similar to Washington now.

WALAX: Where are you from?

“The” 315, Cazenovia N.Y.

WALAX: When did you learn how to play lacrosse?

I learned to play Lacrosse the summer going into 4th grade.

WALAX: Your first lacrosse coach is a coaching legend (Roy Simmons), what was that experience like and what was the main thing you brought away from that experience?

He was just there that summer because he lived on the lake in our town. He wanted to help start our summer league program because he knew that it would help to spawn our high school program which at the time was nonexistent. I think that that was one of his attributes that made him great. He had such a large and progressive vision for the game that he always thought years ahead in terms of development. Coach Simmons has coached some of the best talent in Lacrosse year after year at Syracuse University and has done it successfully. When he spoke to us that summer no one else would move. His voice carried and what he said rang true. “If you give to the game, the game will give back to you”.

WALAX: Your brothers have all played D1 ball. As you grew up did that help playing together at home? Also does that healthy competition push you to be better?

Yes Ben and I have played DI Lacrosse and Coleman will be an incoming freshman at Hofstra next fall. Growing up I would say it was your typical three brother scenario at home. We would throw pads on the youngest and just beat him to death in the goal. Occasionally we would get in goal but in all fairness Cole took most of the heat. I personally found challenges outside of home and on the field playing with other players. I was the oldest in the family so outside of my father there was no one older to push me. I would always encourage Ben and Cole to play but allowing one to develop and find his own way became a thing of ours. We all tried not to influence each other’s game growing up so in turn we all have our own style.

WALAX: You were also a great football player in school. We try to encourage kids to play a number of sports throughout their time at school. Do you think playing football helped you become a better lacrosse player and vice versa?

Without question, I think it would be hard to find an athlete that disagrees with other sports helping them with Lacrosse. Playing other sports such as football and basketball helped to make me the player I am today. The team atmosphere, camaraderie, thinking ahead, footwork, strength and competition are all aspects that carry over from one sport to another.

WALAX: Coming from a football focused school, was lacrosse taken as seriously as other programs in your area?

You could say that football is big in any area. The only thing that matters is whether or not kids move on to play at higher levels. Syracuse has placed numerous kids in DI football programs and the NFL but Syracuse will always be Lacrosse in my mind. The amount kids that play year round in that area out number any other sport by far. Taken seriously would be an understatement. It’s a religion.

WALAX: You played D1 ball at Hopkins, tell us about the other colleges that recruited you and why you ultimately chose John Hopkins over the other equally great lacrosse programs?

The other colleges that recruited me Lacrosse wise were Syracuse, Georgetown and Maryland. Growing up I had always been a university of Maryland Fan. I was a Huge Terps fan. I loved the school flag, the football program, lacrosse, and watched to basketball team religiously. I was almost certain that that was where I wanted to go to school. The only official visits I took where to Maryland and Hopkins. Syracuse had shown interest but have a different style of recruiting for local kids and Georgetown was taking their time with the process and I felt that they might not have been that interested in me. So it basically came down to the two official visits I took. Right away I could see the difference. The guys at Hopkins all knew each other on a personal level. They all hung out together, go get food, went out, did work and even watched T.V.as a team. Everyone was an equal outside of the locker room and the field. In those places serious business happened and everyone knew their role on the team. Aside from that, I felt like I was part of that team on my official visit which weighed the most in my mind. I was surprised to be so persuaded in a different direction from my dream school but looking back it was an easy decision.

WALAX: Playing D1 is a serious year round commitment. What type of things are you doing off season?

Diversity. Staying in Shape was always the top priority but I tried to do that in many ways. I guess it kind of goes back to the playing other sports question. I played a lot of lacrosse, probably at least twice a week but I also played a lot of basketball in the summer. Flag football, skateboarding, and even swimming were all things that I did out of season. Anything to stay active really, but I always tried to pick up my stick every day I wasn’t in school. Even if it was just to fix something or play with the pocket. Playing college Lacrosse is a serious commitment and you have to remind yourself what it takes to be successful, l which would be commitment.

WALAX: You won two NCAA titles with Hopkins, one must be an amazing experience but what was it like winning the second?

The second title was probably one of the happiest times in my life. The feeling of achievement, gratification, and reward had just filled my body to the point I couldn’t stand. Working so hard all year for 60 minutes on a national stage is easier said than done. Playing at Hopkins we expect to be playing for a national title on Memorial Day weekend every year. Anything less at that school is a failure. There is a lot of pressure on the coaching staff, the administration and us as players to succeed. You have to have faith in the coaches and one another that what you do all year will prepare you for that success. Coach would always talk about everyone “getting on his ship” which was his way of telling us we had to “buy in” to the system of having the same goal. Never more was that the case then that 07’ second title. For the second half of that year after losing four straight we followed what coach preached to a T. It turned out that after all those morning practices and long film sessions, he was right. But “we” had earned it. To graduate and leave on a national title is something I will most certainly never forget.

WALAX: What memories do you come away with from 4 years at one of the best lacrosse schools in the country?

My friends. They provide the memories, hard times and good that I have had. As long as they are around I will never forget my time at Hopkins.

WALAX: What do you see as the main differences between east coast and west coast lacrosse?

Experience.

WALAX: Can you tell some of the younger guys what you do to better yourself as a Lacrosse player?

I mentioned earlier that I always try to have my stick in my hand. At least once a day. Use a ball as well, because it does you little to no good to play without a ball. “Take your stick and a ball and find a wall” that is an old saying that I still think about all the time.

WALAX: Who have been your biggest influences during your life?

My family and my faith.

WALAX: Tell us what your most memorable Lacrosse experience has been?

Winning my first N.Y. state sanctioned high school game. After that people in the lacrosse community knew where Cazenovia was.