By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/23/11
La Salle junior midfielder Jeff Cimbalista has committed to the admissions process at Yale University.
Cimbalista is a transfer from New Hope-Solebury who helped the Lions claim the Bicentennial Athletic League championship last year while collecting 50 goals and earning First Team BAL honors.
Jeff Cimbalista log:
High school: La Salle College High
Position: Midfield
Graduating Class: 2013
College choice: Yale
Club affiliation: Duke’s L.C.
Lacrosse honors: EPSLA Showcase, Sophomore; First Team All-BAL Sophomore; Philly Showcase Gait Fab 40 All-Star 2011; Big 4 All-Star, National Lacrosse Classic Team Philadelphia, Champ Camp Final Four; member of BAL champions, 2011.
What will you major in/study: Engineering
Why did you choose school: “I was fortunate enough to have some great schools show interest in me. When I looked at what I really wanted to get out of my college experience, Yale stood above the rest. My first priority was finding the best school I could academically. Yale’s rich traditions and its status as one of the best universities in the world provided everything I am looking for.
“The campus has an amazing vibe and the guys I met on the team just added to the certainty that it was the place where I want to be. Coach (Andy) Shay and the rest of the staff have built a really strong program that has been on the rise over the past few years, which is something I want to be a part of. They also really understood my skills as a lacrosse player and explained to me how they see me contributing to the team in the future. That was impressive and gave me confidence that they understood the type of player I am. So I am glad to commit to the admissions process at Yale.”
Other colleges considered: Penn, Princeton, Delaware, Villanova.
Outlook for your high school team: “Even though this is my first year at La Salle, since I am a transfer from New Hope-Solebury High School, I can already see the potential this team has. There are a lot of talented players at La Salle and I’m looking forward to contributing any way I can. If we keep pushing ourselves in the off-season and bonding as a team, I see a lot of wins in our future.”
Other comments: “I’d like to give a big thank you to all my past and present coaches; Coach (Bill) Leahy and all the coaches at La Salle, Coach Ebe (Helm), Coach (Jason) Christmas and the Dukes LC staff, Coach (Pat) Ryan, Gracey, and Joyce at New Hope-Solebury, and especially Coach Zappala for getting me started way back when. Also to my older brother John for convincing me to learn how to play lacrosse and my younger brother Jake for coming out to watch me play at so many of my games and tournaments.”
Note: Ivy League student-athletes must continue through the admissions process
