Preston Coffman '18 Recruiting Profile

Strength through adversity has always been my family motto.  Growing up a military brat of a career active duty Marine has been a challenge but these challenges have positively influenced the person I am today.  My father, James, recently celebrated his twenty-third anniversary in the Marine Corps, which for me encompasses multiple bi-coastal moves, separations from my father over half my life due to numerous deployments or training separations, new schools, constant loss of friendship ties, continually creating new friendships and being the new kid on teams.  However, on the other hand my challenges as a military brat have made me a resilient, disciplined and adaptive individual in a variety of situations.  If not for the Marine Corps transferring my father from Oceanside, CA to Washington, DC in July 2012 I do not feel lacrosse would have entered my life.  

Lacrosse entered my life at a time when all I enjoyed was football.  My Mom signed me up for Prince William Lacrosse Club after I did not make the football team at my new middle school in seventh grade -- one of the disadvantages of being the new kid regardless of skills.  My life has never been the same since picking up a lacrosse stick!  I have learned many things through lacrosse that will be useful in navigating my way through my future -- some of which are awareness, integrity, credibility, teamwork, consistency, focus,  selflessness, positivity and leadership.  

I aspire to ultimately get my graduate degree in Kinesiology along with playing lacrosse at the next level.  In order to reach my goals of playing in college, my academic goals in high school have been elevated to reaching a 3.5 GPA or higher my junior and senior year.  I have also challenged myself as a player/teammate as well -- continuing to move forward, taking the high road because it's not crowded up there, finding the areas where I need improvement, doing my part as a team member to the best of my ability and making a difference in other's lives on and off the field.  I believe all these qualities make me a good candidate for any team.  

The qualities as a leader and player that make me unique are that I am a quiet leader -- leading by example while showing respect for my coaches and teammates.  I do not exhibit the need to be seen as a star player vocally -- I step onto the field and prove I am a good player and team member.  I see myself as a selfless player with a strong work ethic that observes the field quickly while distributing the ball to the appropriate place and open player.  I am coachable, respectfully listening and learning quickly.