Jan. 10, 2007

Paul Crisafulli, a sophomore elementary education major and emerging leader has brought energy and excitement onto campus. Coming from Syracuse, New York, the lacrosse mecca of the East Coast, it is no wonder that this sophomore defenseman has developed an absolute love of the game. While most of us were still kicking around in recreational soccer leagues, Crisafulli, began his lacrosse career in third grade. His dreams of playing Division One Lacrosse did not really start until his sophomore year of High School when he realized that he was willing to put in the work it required, on and off the field of play. When looking for colleges that offered lacrosse, Crisafulli wanted to go to a smaller but competitive university where he could make an impact. Two years later, he has made an impact. He has developed as one of the emerging younger student leaders on Hawk Hill.

One of his biggest accomplishments so far, was being picked as a student leader for this falls freshman escape. As a sophomore this is a huge honor and a spring board for many other great positions within student leadership. For Paul, though, this experience was easy. He has always been a leader, and this shows through the compassion and friendliness he shows towards the current freshman class.

"Last year I learned what it was like to be a freshman on a college level team, which can be very challenging at times. I just want to help out the freshman this year, by being someone that they can go to for help or advice," Crisafulli commented.

Paul has taken advantage of many other opportunities while at St. Joseph's. As a future elementary teacher, Paul has been volunteering in weekly physical education classes at the Samuel Gompers Elementary School. Paul seems to have a natural affinity towards working with children. A couple of weeks ago he served on the SJU Boo Crew, welcoming community children to an afternoon of Halloween festivities. In addition to his activities at school, this summer Paul worked at a camp and coached seventh and eight graders this past summer. He mentioned that, "Kids are the only people that I have found that share the same joy and energy everyday as me."

At a time when most of his classmates are still learning to juggle class work and outside activities, Crisafulli is now offering advice and counsel to freshman, just one year his younger. However, when talking to Paul it does not appear that he is merely a sophomore. When talking to his teammates and hearing the things that his coaches have told others, it seems that this defenseman must be at least a junior, maybe a senior. His accomplishments within a two year time period rival other students around campus.

Managing lacrosse, volunteering, and serving both his university and surrounding communities, Paul shows great pride and never fails to mention those who have helped him. One of the greatest influences on Paul, thus far, has been his lacrosse coach. Coach Pat Cullinan has developed the lacrosse program in the past couple of years into one of the most active in community service among the universities varsity teams. "Coach Cullinan does not just care about whether or not you are producing on the field, but how you are as a person... he is very personable and understands that there is more to you than athletics."

As the upcoming spring season is still far away, the Men's Lacrosse Team has been working very hard this off-season. In a quick view, one can sense the energy from their practices, and if you look around you will most likely see these gentlemen hawks serving the community, whether they ran alongside you in the Presidents Fun Run raising money for Hand-in-Hand, or serve next to you at the local soup kitchen, or just happen to sit next to you in class, you can be sure that they are working just as hard off the field as they are in between the white lines.