The sound of sticks tapping. Cheers from the bleachers. Chatter from your teammates. These might be a few of your favorite things about playing high school lacrosse. But just because you’re going to college, doesn’t mean they have to end.
For example, Southern Virginia University (a full member of NCAA Division III) is home to both men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. To give you a sneak peek of what it’s like to play on SVU’s teams, we’ve asked two of our student-athletes to share a few things they think you should know about playing college lacrosse. Here’s what they said.
Making the transition from your high school life to the responsibilities of taking college courses and living on campus is tough for some students. Having a schedule to follow is one way to make the transition easier.
As a lacrosse player, your days will be pretty structured. Peyton Merwin, who is majoring in biochemistry and has been on the men’s lacrosse team for three years, generally starts at 5:30 a.m. His typical day during the season includes classes, work, lacrosse, and free time.
“I wake up pretty early to get to the training room before practice, which starts at 8:30 a.m.,” Merwin said. “Then I grab a bite before going to class at 9 a.m. Usually classes go all the way until 3 p.m., then I meet back up with the guys for a team lift in the weight room from 3:15-4:30 p.m.”
Evenings consist of cleaning up and eating before going to work at the gym for the rest of the night. Merwin does his homework at this point and in between classes throughout the day.
“Once 11 p.m. hits, I head home, and get ready to do it all again the next day,” Merwin added.
Mariela Perez is majoring in biochemistry and psychology with a minor in athletic training, and has played for the women’s lacrosse team for four years.
For her, a typical day during the season involves classes in the morning, weights or conditioning in the afternoon, and practice in the evening.
“I manage my school work by working on assignments during my breaks in the day and scheduling time during the week to get assignments done,” Perez said. “I try to stay organized by getting ahead on assignments when I can and making room for free time between classes or lacrosse activities.”
During the off-season, the team still meets for weights and conditioning — but only has a month or so of practices (which means she has a bit more free time.)
One of the benefits of playing college lacrosse is getting to travel and see new things. For example, in 2024, the men’s schedule included games around Virginia, and in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama.
“I’ve had a chance to partake in some of the greatest BBQ joints,” he said. “Plus, we’ve gotten to travel to historical sites and do fun activities as a team.”
Playing college athletics does come with some stress. But SVU offers plenty of academic and personal support to help you succeed.
Perez said that this is a resource that all athletes should take advantage of — even if you’re not struggling academically. It’s a time that’s “specifically designed for you to be successful,” she added.
“Also, I don’t know what I’d do without our athletic trainers, as they look out for you on and off the field,” Perez said. “Having a mentor or an academic advisor that you can trust and talk to is so important, because they’ll cheer you on no matter what.”
She added that it’s really important to take time to care for your mental health, too.
“I think sometimes we forget about ourselves when we’re in the chaos of the middle of the season,” Perez said. “You need to look out for yourself, and make sure you have a safe place to go when you need to clear your mind.”
Merwin feels similarly about how being part of the team has provided him with mentors who want to help him thrive.
“I’m grateful for the professors, trainers, and coaches who mentor and guide me in planning for the future,” he said. “They genuinely want to see me grow and succeed.”
For both players, their team members factored into the decision to play at SVU — and still play a big role in why they love to play on the teams.
“I met some players while at a lacrosse camp who’d played for SVU, and I decided to tour the school,” Merwin said. “I fell in love with the campus and being in an environment where I could compete with those who shared the same values and standards as I do. One of my favorite parts of my experience has been developing relationships with my teammates through workouts and practice.”
Perez heard about the SVU team through a few teammates in high school, and then Coach Rainey Whitworth came out to Utah and did a clinic for her high school team.
“After that, I visited SVU and fell in love with the campus, the program, the passion the girls on the team had, and I just honestly felt peace in my mind that this is where I was supposed to go to continue my education,” she said. “Friendship is probably the most important thing that this team has given me. I’ve made my best friends here. I’ve learned how to work as a team and to always look out for your teammates.”
If you’re a Latter-day Saint looking for a university that offers lacrosse and will value your faith, SVU might be a fit for you. It’s the only college that offers NCAA Division III athletics within a faith-supportive environment for Latter-day Saints.
Check out the men’s and women’s lacrosse team pages for more details.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? Learning the language of financial aid and wondering if you should take on student loan debt can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a one-stop financial aid 101 guide to answer your questions. Download it here.