By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/1/09
Ted Hospodar claims he is well-prepared for the rigors of being a freshman at West Point 
after a grinding but successful year at the US Military Academy Prep School (USMAPS).
Hospodar, a 2008 graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep, recently started classes while also playing Fall Ball lacrosse at Army. He was moved from a close defense position to long stick midfielder and is optimistic he will make the varsity and contribute to the Army defense.
“The prep school serves to develop us physically and mentally,” said Hospodar, who must commit five years in the service and three years in the reserves after graduation. “As far as lacrosse, I got to play all year long. We played a full schedule, and it definitely made me a lot better and ready to play at the next level.”
Hospodar was an anchor on The Prep’s defense as a close defender in 2008 when the Hawks finished 22-5 and gave eventual state champion La Salle a scare in the Catholic League title game (6-5 loss). He has enjoyed his transition last year to LSM and appreciates the lessons learned in his year at the Army’s prep school, located in Monmouth, N.J. This summer, Hospodar endured seven weeks of West Point training called the “Beast.”
“It’s done to prepare you for the military lifestyle,” said Hospodar. “Fall Ball started this past week and the guys on the lacrosse team are awesome.”
Hospodar said the coursework at West Point is highly structured and established for each cadet until midway through their sophomore years when they may choose a major. He is considering a major in management or leadership skills.
“I think about half of the freshman recruit class went to the prep school with me,” he said. “They try to send most of the recruits to prep school. It’s definitely a stressful environment.
“But I think it helps you out a lot. West Point is rated No. 1 in the country by Forbes Magazine. The environment is so structured. You learn to manage your time so well; it’s the only way you can make it here.”
Hospodar, a second-team All-Catholic League pick in 2008, said he has good role models from the Philly area. One of Army’s top middies is junior Rob McCallion (19 points last year) of Episcopal Academy. Also, junior John Ciavarelli (Springfield-Delco) figures to see time at long stick midfield after playing in 11 games as a sophomore.
“The lacrosse has been awesome,” said Hospodar, who credited former head coach Dan Keating and assisting Mike Keating for his development at St. Joe’s Prep. “It’s a completely different level, but I have made the transition pretty well and I think I’ve made the transition to West point, too.”
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