East Hampton Lacrosse Goalie Named Academic All-American

By Brett Mauser

East Hampton goalie Mark Simmons not only led his team to a playoff berth but also earned Academic All-America honors last week. Photos courtesy Denise Simmons

East Hampton - For all the praise that East Hampton lacrosse goalie Mark Simmons receives between the sidelines and the pipes, from team MVP awards to county recognition, it just might pale in comparison to the accolades thrown his way inside the school walls.

At the Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches' 2009 Awards Banquet on June 15, Simmons added another line to his resume when he was named an Academic All-American. He was one of four Suffolk County players to have earned the designation and first East Hampton player since Zach Brenneman was an honorable mention All-American.

With Head Coach Mike Vitulli (left) and Assistant Coach Ralph Naglieri, East Hampton goalie Mark Simmons was named to the Academic All-America Team on June 15.

"It was amazing," Simmons said. "I knew I was going there for the All-County team, but I had no idea I was even up for All-American. To be chosen was incredible. It was such a surprise. I was really happy. To be in that company is amazing."

Simmons, a four-year high honor roll student, maintained a 4.0 grade point average and ranked eighth in his class. He will attend Wesleyan University in Connecticut this fall. Simmons hasn't set his major although he has said he is "inclined toward the sciences." Among the four academic scholarships he received, Simmons was named a Ladies' Village Improvement Society Scholarship winner. The LVIS Scholarship, awarded by the Student Awards Committee, gives $10,000 to each honoree to put toward their college tuition.

Simmons also expects to compete for playing time on the lax squad. On the pitch, the now Bonac alum played four seasons at the varsity level and was a starter and captain for three. Twice he was named Team MVP and also was selected to the All-County team on two occasions. The 18-year-old Simmons eschewed a number of schools to attend Wesleyan, which went 15-4 last year and won the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) regular season championship. He will play for Wesleyan at the Glastonbury Tournament on July 25 and 26.

"Wesleyan will give me an incredible opportunity to grow intellectually, socially and athletically," Simmons said. "After being a starter for most of my high school career, I'm looking forward to the challenge of competing for a starting spot. I know the competition will help to make my teammates and myself better players and will serve to make the entire team stronger."

In addition, Bonackers Coach Mike Vitulli was selected the Division II Coach of the Year for guiding East Hampton to an 11-7 overall mark and a spot in the Class B playoffs. Bonac's highlights included wins over Hauppauge, Bayport-Blue Point and Islip.