By Charles Kruzits
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/16/11
Hershey High junior midfielder Joe Baker – a member of HEADstrong Elite – has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Loyola University (MD).
Baker has been a starter for the Trojans since his freshman season. Off the field he is also a standout as he is a member of the National Honor Society.
Loyola advanced to the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing to Cornell, 11-10, in a three-overtime game. The Greyhounds compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
At Loyola Baker will study education with hopes of becoming a high school teacher and a coach.
His visits to Loyola cemented his decision to commit to head coach Charley Toomey and the Greyhounds. Baker chose Loyola over Hobart College, Fairfield University, and Hofstra University.
“Staying with the team was helpful, they were a great group of guys and I could see myself playing with them for four years,” he said.
“I fell in love with the campus. The combination of the coaches and school gave me a sense of a personal connection.”
Coach Toomey also has a commitment from Lower Merion senior long stick midfielder Alek Klincewicz.
Hershey High accumulated a 6-12 record last season in the Mid-Penn Conference of District 3, but Baker has a different outlook on the upcoming season.
“We have a strong core group of guys returning from last year,” he said. “I am hoping we can step up and make a run in playoffs this year.”
