Eric Dobson has been playing lacrosse since the second grade. He is now a senior at Fleming Island High School and has committed to attend Notre Dame to further his athletic and academic careers once he graduates. I wanted to know more about this awesome athlete and decided to ask him a few questions.
Tyrah: When did your love for lacrosse begin? Who taught you how to play?
Eric: I started playing lacrosse in the second grade and immediately enjoyed playing. My parents signed me up for the local rec team that was coached by John Hawley, who coached me almost every year, including all four years of high school. He has taught me more than anyone has about the game.
T: When did you realize that lacrosse was your passion and discover you were great at the sport?
E: I realized lacrosse was my favorite sport, and I wanted to play lacrosse in college when I was in the sixth grade. I always just tried to get better every day, but I really noticed the results my freshman year of high school when I was a varsity starter and the second leading scorer on the team.
T: Who are some of the professional athletes that inspire you?
E: I’ve been inspired by professional lacrosse player Sergio Perkovic and Tim Tebow. I always looked up to Sergio Perkovic as a lacrosse player because he was similar in size to me and played a similar style of game, so I constantly watched his games and highlights. I also grew up watching Florida football games with Tebow at quarterback, and I was really inspired by not only his ability but his passion, leadership, and faith.
T: What made you decide to attend Notre Dame?
E: I chose Notre Dame because I knew after the first time I went to visit that it was the perfect fit for me. I love how historic the university is with strong academic and character standards, along with the prominence of the lacrosse team that is ranked sixth in the preseason rankings.
T: What are you most excited about playing in college?
E: I’m most excited about the opportunity to play the best teams every week with the chance to win a national championship. I love to play and compete, so for me there is nothing better than the prospect of playing in the best conference in lacrosse in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
T: How do you plan to start your legacy at Notre Dame?
E: I plan to start my legacy at Notre Dame by being a great teammate and a hard worker. I plan to be the hardest worker in all aspects on and off the field. This is, in my eyes, the best way to leave a positive impact on the university and the team.
T: How do you plan to leave your legacy at Fleming Island?
E: I plan to leave my legacy at Fleming Island by being a good leader and a better teammate. I hope to leave the program better than I found it and help the future generations of Fleming Island lacrosse players reach their potential.
T: How have your family and friends supported you?
E: My family has supported me in more ways than I could thank them for. My parents have driven and flown with me across the country from California to all up and down the East Coast to allow me to play at the highest level of lacrosse. They drove me to the gym, practice, and games for the 10 years I’ve played, and I couldn’t have done it without them. My friends have pushed me and motivated me to work hard, especially when my motivation wavered and times were hard.
T: Any advice to up-and-coming lacrosse players?
E: My advice to up-and-coming lacrosse players would be to have fun and work hard. Lacrosse can take you farther than you can ever imagine. If you really love the game and outwork everyone, the game is extremely fun and can form some of the closest friends and connections you will make.
T: How do you stay in the game?
E: What motivates me is my love of the game and the desire to be great. I always fear someone is working harder than me and wants to take my spot.
To add to his many accomplishments, Dobson played at the 2019 Epoch Inside Lacrosse Committed Academy and the 2018 Fall Inside Lacrosse Invitational: Weekend II. ITG Next looks forward to seeing the many accomplishments Dobson makes in his collegiate career.
Written by: Tyrah Walker
Photo courtesy of: Kevin Martin
