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Men's Lacrosse

Local talent, local leaders. Battle Creek natives become integral part of MLAX program

Photo courtesy of Quinn Natschke
Four years ago, who would've thought two of Albion lacrosse's most talented leaders and players would come from just 28.4 miles away.
 
Gerald Haadsma and Joey Tatar are a pair of seniors that can impact a game – and a program – and they have done more than that. Haadsma, a four-time captain, has proven himself as a leader, overcoming a multitude of injuries and becoming one of the league's top faceoff guys. Tatar, a two-time captain, is an All-American defender who leads a talented group on the back line. The two talk about growing up locally, their friendship since high school and leading a Briton lineup back to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Natives of Battle Creek, the pair started playing club lacrosse and other sports together at a young age. Their paths have not only crossed being teammates prior to Albion, but against each other with friendly banter. 
 
"Jerry and I's friendship started in the summer days playing club lacrosse together for the Bandits throughout high school," recalled Tatar. "Jerry was always one of the kids we had to look out for in all the games we had against each other so it was nice finally playing on the same side."
 
"It's been pretty cool to go to school and play lacrosse with Joey here at Albion. We both grew up in Battle Creek and went to rival schools and we grew up playing rocket football, basketball and lacrosse against each other. We always knew each other growing up, except Joey was usually on the bench or sideline or trying to talk smack at the faceoff X. A lot of people see Joey and I as polar opposite people but it's a good leadership dynamic. We try to set an example off the field as well and express the importance of academics and being a good person in whatever it is you're doing. We take a lot of pride in being good people off the field and going to class, holding the door for people and hopefully leaving this program in a better place than we found it."
 
"A game I distinctly remember was our final game against each other in high school at the all-city lacrosse tournament. We had already committed to Albion together and knew we were going to be roommates," recalled Tatar. "No one on our team could battle with Jerry at the faceoff X so I would just go up there to play D right away. Prior to the faceoff we were talking trash to each other at the X and the referee told us to settle down. The competition between us didn't stop there and I think that it has helped us with our success on and off the field at Albion. I think this bond we have gained over the years playing against and with each other has contributed greatly to the way we perform on and off the field and as leaders of this team."
 
Being captains and important pieces of the program come with plenty of responsibilities, including preparing the younger guys to fill their shoes when they graduate. Tatar and fellow All-MIAA senior Bear Nelson have run the back line under Jake DeCola for four years. The pair not only have respect for their teammates and each other, but for the alumni who built the program before them.
 
"Playing with Bear for the past four years has been an absolute blast … he is by far the most talented linemate I have ever played with," said Tatar. "Brian Griffiths really instilled core values in us when we were freshman and he was a senior. I give a lot of praise to him for putting up with us and making us into what we are today. I'd like to believe that the younger guys gain values, skills and life lessons from us, like the ones Brian shared. Bear is also a very vocal leader, having a guy like him next to me makes everything that much easier, his voice is just as loud as mine, and within the past four years we are able to bounce ideas off each other with our eyes closed. The guys behind us are an extremely talented group of D guys and they work their tails off. I look forward to seeing them become absolute beasts on the field this year and in years to follow."
 
"Coach DeCola has really shown me the importance of mental training and how it's just as important as physical training. The role I've had in this program is not something I imagined having before coming," said Haadsma. My job is to do whatever it takes to help us win games and be tough and have fun while doing it. I love the guys on this team and this college and community and we have a lot to prove. We're ready to take care of some unfinished business and do it for the guys that were here before us."
 
An unbelievable honor, Haadsma is currently serving his fourth season as a captain. His role is something the senior not only takes pride in, but credits former players and teammates, as well as DeCola, with shaping him into the leader he is today. 
 
"As a four year captain, I've grown a lot as a person. I've been coming to games since 2015 and watching guys like Tim Urso, Dylan Neal and Cameron Braun," recalled Haadsma. "To think that I would come into such a role as a freshman was not in my mind, but it was something that the team needed. Alumni serve a huge piece to this program. They're just as important as the guys on the team right now and you can't let those guys down. Without those guys we wouldn't have the facilities or culture that we have. My responsibilities have stayed the same for the most part: whatever it is I'm doing, it's a leader's job to take care of their men and accomplish the mission at hand. When you're a senior in this program, there's a lot that gets put in perspective – especially the way Coach DeCola does things. I couldn't have been a captain without the 2019 senior class. Drew Harm, Brian Griffiths, John Biello, Adam Jarvis, and Matt Chen supported and guided me in everyday tasks. Those guys mean a lot to me and served this program just as much as I have."
 
Despite the historic success of the program, this senior class has yet to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament – something they do not take lightly. Twice the Brits came up short in the MIAA Tournament game, narrowly missing out on playing into mid-May. Haadsma and Tatar return knowing there's a chip on their shoulder and redemption in their mind. 
 
"We know that as a member of the men's lacrosse team here, it's abnormal to leave here without a tournament championship and trip to the NCAA Tournament … It's not a product of what we do here, it's a part of what we do," said Haadsma. "The culture of the team has changed a lot since we got here, and we trust Coach DeCola and know he will set us up for success … As captains, it's our job to affirm that we'll be playing deep into May and take care of the guys along the way."
 
"The group of upperclassmen we have now is the strongest, most talented group of lacrosse players I have ever been around," expressed Tatar. "They all have contributed greatly to helping the younger guys get physically and mentally prepared for our season, and Jerry and I could not have done it without them. With that being said, the underclassmen on our team are also extremely talented and have made this grooming a seamless process … This is a great team with an extremely strong team culture and high level of skill, I am excited to see what lies ahead for us."

Haadsma, Tatar and the rest of the Albion College men's lacrosse team continue their quest for a MIAA Championship this Saturday when they host Oberlin College in a non conference contest. First faceoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will also serve as the team's Vs. Cancer game.
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Players Mentioned

Gerald Haadsma

#11 Gerald Haadsma

M
Senior
Bear Nelson

#15 Bear Nelson

D
Senior
Joey Tatar

#17 Joey Tatar

D
Senior

Players Mentioned

Gerald Haadsma

#11 Gerald Haadsma

Senior
M
Bear Nelson

#15 Bear Nelson

Senior
D
Joey Tatar

#17 Joey Tatar

Senior
D