Men’s recruit: Downingtown East’s Sturgis follows Philly path to Penn State

Editor’s note: This is one of many recruit stories being re-posted by Phillylacrosse.com as it restores content as a result of its redesign this spring

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com Posted 7/8/09
Re-Posted 6/30/10

Downingtown East rising senior Shane Sturgis has made a verbal commitment to play at Penn State for 2010-11.

Sturgis, a first-team All-Ches-Mont League selection who also earned Al-Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association honors, chose University Park for its business program and familiarity with some of the many Philly players.

“I really liked my visit; I had a lot of fun,” said Sturgis, who had also competed for the Philly team in the Under Armour Underclassmen Games and had a solid showing in the EPSLA Showcase. “The coaches were nice and the players made it so that it was the right fit for me.”

Sturgis becomes another in a large group of Philly recruits to pick Penn State. In his class, Springfield-Delco defenseman Brendan Nave, Haverford School attackman Stephen Aitken and Avon Grove attackman Tim Golder have committed to Penn State. What’s more, the PSU roster is loaded with many Philly recruits, including rising sophomore Alex Gannett of Downingtown East.

“I knew a lot of them when I went there,” said Sturgis, who also considered Notre Dame, Duke, Hofstra and Navy. “I talked to (Alex) a lot, and (Malvern Prep grad and rising sophomore) Matt Mackrides a little bit. They all helped.”

Sturgis plans to major in business and either go into finance or entrepreneurship.

“I met with the academic advisors and the fact they have a real good business school went into the decision,” Sturgis said. “Plus, they finished the season out real strong (six straight wins to finish at 9-5) and hopefully that will continue in the next couple years when I get there.”

Sturgis was thrilled with the scholastic season. The Cougars, who many thought would be challenged to win a third straight Ches-Mont/Suburban League crown, finished undefeated in the Ches-Mont and gave Conestoga a serious fight in the District 1 finals.

“Going into the season nobody thought we’d be that good,” he said. “But we played hard through the season and went undefeated in the league then made it to the district finals. We came close to beating Conestoga (7-4 loss) and in the state playoffs we came pretty close to beating La Salle (10-8 loss).”