By Bridget Letukas
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/7/11
It turns out that when Eastern University senior midfielder Joey Wilmot was called to talk about being named Philly Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Week, he did not answer the phone.
Instead, a fellow athlete who discovered Joey’s missing phone picked up.
Later, after the lost phone had been returned to its rightful owner, Wilmot relayed that he had left his phone on the lacrosse field.
It appears that a cell phone is not the only thing Wilmot leaves on the field. Wilmot, a 3.65 Elementary Education major from Chambersburg, PA, is a speedy and dependable three-year regular for the Eagles, who are undefeated (4-0) in the Middle Atlantic Conference.
In addition, Wilmot, a former high school wrestling and football standout, also brings it to the classroom, where he has been named to the Dean’s List and the MAC Academic Honor Roll.
But perhaps the place Wilmot goes all out more than anywhere else is in the community. Just last Saturday, he joined his teammates in a benefit game against King’s College for the Headstrong Foundation, which raises both awareness of and funds for cancer research (http://www.headstrongfoundation.org/).
For the Eagles, the event hits home very closely. Teammate and goalie Aaron Benz, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his high school graduation, was recently cleared by doctors of the disease.
Wilmot’s willingness to help others extends into the inner city schools as well.
“A lot of it goes with working with children, because that is my passion,” says Wilmot. “I’ve been around the inner city lifestyle. Those are the kids I grew up playing sports, and I’m thinking that’s where I want to teach.”
There, Wilmot has worked frequently as a volunteer, running games and activities as part of a Christian summer camp and Bible program.
Wherever he finds himself, Wilmot gives his best, crediting his father for his all-out attitude.
“My dad…he’s just accomplished so much. He played multiple sports in college, was in the Marines, and went to law school,” says Wilmot. “He taught me to hold myself to high standards and push myself in everything I do really.”
In the meantime, he and his teammates are hoping they can push themselves into a MAC championship title. Wilmot, an avid movie fan who describes his squad as “coachable,” is optimistic.
“We have a young team,” he said. “It seems like every time coach emphasizes something…the next game we do that perfect. Whatever we work on, we get it done.”
