Goodrich Scores Division I Lacrosse Scholarship

While most members of the Class of 2007 are still working on their college applications, senior Mark Goodrich already knows where he is going to school next fall. Goodrich, who says he has always dreamed of playing lacrosse in college, was offered an athletic scholarship to attend Johns Hopkins University.

At Rivers, Goodrich has pushed himself both on and off the lacrosse field in an effort to achieve his goal. This summer, he was one of ten Massachusetts' players invited to attend the premier Jake Reed’s Blue Chip lacrosse camp. This camp selects 112 of the best players in the country to play in front of Division I coaches looking to recruit players for their top college lacrosse programs.

Despite a hand injury, Goodrich played exceptionally well and sparked the interest of a number of coaches who felt he had the skills and talent to play on a college team. On July 1, Goodrich received 14 scholarship offers from many of the top Division I lacrosse programs in the country. After consulting with his parents and his lacrosse coach at Rivers, Goodrich chose Johns Hopkins.

"Besides really clicking with the coaches and the team at Hopkins, the thing that drew me to the school was the similarities I felt it has with Rivers. The smaller class sizes that Rivers offers have allowed me to really connect with my teachers who have believed in me and pushed me to succeed. I saw a lot of these same qualities in the environment at Johns Hopkins," said Goodrich.

"Johns Hopkins is viewed as the epicenter of the lacrosse community," said Justin Walker, Rivers varsity lacrosse coach and 2006 ISL Coach of the Year. "It is a tremendous feat for a kid to go to Hopkins and Mark worked incredibly hard for this." 

Mark was ranked number eighteen in Inside Lacrosse magazine's September "Top 50 Rising Stars." The article mentions, "He wowed coaches this summer at Jake Reed's Blue Chip Camp. He has size at 6-3, 192 pounds, and can work inside the goals." 

In addition to playing lacrosse, Goodrich is also an integral member of the Rivers varsity football and basketball teams and has received All-League honors in both sports. Coach Walker has a lot of respect for Goodrich in this regard. "It is not easy to play three varsity sports and play them well," said Walker. "I’m really proud that he is so dedicated to Rivers and know that his strong athletic involvement has also helped him become a well-rounded player." 

Goodrich is not alone in his passion for playing lacrosse. Four of his teammates from last season are making an impact beyond Rivers. Both Tim Bigelow '06 and Steve Belichick '06 have verbally committed to play for Division I powers next fall. Bigelow will attend Hobart College and Belichick will attend Rutgers University. Zach Bain '06 and Peter Sessa ’06 who were both heavily recruited by top Division III schools are currently playing for Bates College and Springfield College respectively.