The Fairport senior says he has always wanted to play at Syracuse University and so, as a junior last fall, it was easy for him to make a verbal commitment to the Orange. As a youth player, he traveled to the Dome to watch the Powells play and listen to people talk about the Gate brothers. He was enthralled by the history. "The great tradition of Syracuse Lacrosse, being a contender for a national championship every year is just something I want to pursue and be a part of."

After he started to receive letters from college coaches, Derek started to realize that he might be able to play at a high level. "They basically told me that I could play at that level. In talking to Coach Desko and Coach Rogers they said that I was capable of playing for them."

His first official lacrosse visit was to Penn State and he accepted a visit to Syracuse the next weekend. "They found out I went to Penn State and they wanted me. Coach Rogers took me around the campus and I spent a long time talking to him. He is very personable. After that, I watched practice and then met with Coach Desko in his office. It was awesome. . . his rings, his plaques, you know. . . and I thought, what more could you ask for?"

A three year Varsity player for the Red Raiders, Derek has improved his offensive stats each year, starting with sixteen points his freshman year and ending last year with forty-five. He has a career record of 62g-29a (91pts) as he enters his last year in Section Five. He and his teammates hope for a Championship in this last year but as he continues to "think big", Derek hopes for even more.

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