Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
A team leader at Boston College, Sam Apuzzo netted one of her sport’s top honors while only a junior.
Sam Apuzzo, a junior at Boston College, was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Tewaaraton Award, given annually to the most outstanding American male and female college lacrosse players.
Apuzzo is the first female player from Boston College to win the award after being a top-five finalist last year. The award ceremony was held May 31 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
Lacrosse is rooted in centuries of Native American tradition and “Tewaaraton” is the Mohawk name for the game, according to the award’s website.
This year, Apuzzo also was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference Attacker of the Year. She helped lead Boston College to a perfect 17-0 regular season and the team’s second consecutive trip to the national championship.
She broke the program’s single season scoring record with 88 goals after setting the record last year with 81. She’s a native of West Babylon, New York.
Here are Apuzzo’s thoughts on her sport, accomplishments and future goals.
Q — When/why did you start playing lacrosse?
A — I started playing around 4th grade. My older brother started playing a few years earlier, so initially I would pass around with him using a boy’s stick. When a few of my neighborhood friends joined the youth program, they urged me to play as well.
Q — What do you love about the game?
A — I love how fast-moving it is; there isn’t much standing around and you are constantly going.
Q — What are your strengths as a player?
A — I think one of my strengths is that I don’t give up. I try to constantly be moving and doing everything I can by working hard every minute of the game.
Q — What are your weaknesses?
A — I sometimes find myself waiting a few minutes into the game to get going and get involved.
Q — What did it feel like to win the Tewaaraton Award?
A — It was an incredible feeling. I was in shock for most of the night. It has always been a dream of mine, but I never actually thought it would be something I would achieve.
Q — You are the first Eagle to win the award in the history of the women’s lacrosse program. What does that mean to you?
A — I am very proud to be the first Eagle to win this award. The past few years my teammates and I have had a lot of success, and we are hoping that will continue and make BC a top program for years to come. I hope to set a precedent for more Eagles to win the Tewaaraton.
Q — Boston College was the NCAA women’s lacrosse championship runner-up for the last two years. What are your thoughts on that?
A — I think it shows how far our program has come in the past few years and how each year we continue to progress. It’s unfortunate that we have gotten to the championship each year and lost. However, we still have yet to hit our potential as a team, so I’m excited to see what will happen in the year to come.
Q — What is your major?
A — I am an applied psychology and human development major as well as a communication minor.
Q — What are your plans after college?
A — I’m hoping to stay in either the lacrosse or athletic world for as long as I can. However, I’m not exactly sure what I plan to do yet.
Q — What are your career goals?
A — I hope to have a successful career while still playing lacrosse and help in growing the game.
Q — How long do you see yourself playing lacrosse?
A — I can definitely see myself playing in the pro women’s lacrosse league after college or the U.S. national team if I were to make the roster.
The above appears in the August issue of the print version of Fra Noi. Our gorgeous, monthly magazine contains a veritable feast of news and views, profiles and features, entertainment and culture. To subscribe, click here.
