ODUSports.com asked several members of the ODU Lacrosse team to describe why they chose their jersey number. Below are the responses from Lilly Siskind, Claire Porter, Caroline Shaefer and Glory Johnson.
#3 Lilly Siskind – So. – West Chester, Pa.
Growing up and before coming to Old Dominion, I always followed in my dad's or brother's footsteps and wore a number they once wore. Even though I bounced between different numbers growing up, I remember being so excited to not only get the chance to play at ODU, but be branded with a number that would stick with me for the rest of my collegiate and lacrosse career. I recall a conversation my Dad and I had before coming to ODU, and we decided it was my turn to pave my own path, and with that came my own number.
When I saw that the number three was available, I knew immediately I wanted to wear it. Growing up close to the Philadelphia area and being a Philly sports fan, that number resonated with the drive, heart, and passion one athlete instilled when he wore it, and that was Allen Iverson of the 76ers. Iverson could be described as a scrappy player who left everything he had out on the court. I knew with wearing that number came that same responsibility, and that's exactly what I have tried to do every time I step foot on that field with the number three on my back and the ODU logo across my chest.
So, even though I never wore the number three before coming to ODU, I'm so lucky that I have been given the chance to honor those who have worn the number before me as well as, leave my mark for those who wear number three next!
#15 Claire Porter – Jr. – Berlin, Md.
The reason I chose number 15 is for my dad. Growing up I was raised in a house surrounded by sports. My dad has always been extremely into sports, which was a huge inspiration for me growing up. He is by far my biggest fan.
Throughout my life I have played soccer, lacrosse, and I swam competitively. When I joined club teams or travel teams, my dad chose to take on the role of not only being my biggest supporter, but my coach. He was the coach of my soccer team as well as my lacrosse team. When I decided that I wanted to really focus on lacrosse, in hopes to play at the collegiate level he decided to coach my travel team as well. He constantly pushed me to be the best I could be on and off the field. Growing up he wrestled and played lacrosse. The number that he wore was 15, which is why wearing 15 on my back means so much to me.
#22 Caroline Shaefer – Fr. – Glen Mills, Pa.
Since the time I was five years old I wore the number 20. When I was coming into ODU I got to choose between several different numbers but 20 was not an option.
I saw the number 22 was available and I felt like it would be the right choice for me to represent ODU's lacrosse program for the next four years. I am thrilled to wear the number 22!
#29 Glory Johnson – Sr. – Baldwinsville, N.Y.
I chose the number 29 because growing up, I wore the number two for high school lacrosse and number nine for club lacrosse. The first time I joined an organized team for lacrosse was in third grade (they didn't have any teams for kids younger than that) and I was given the number two jersey. I have worn that number ever since. For club lacrosse, I was also just given a jersey and it happened to be the number nine.
I always loved those two numbers after both of those instances and for me, the number 29 represents my life with lacrosse. Starting in third grade, I always knew I wanted to play Division I lacrosse when I got older, and when I saw that 29 was an option, I knew it was a perfect way to end my career wearing both the numbers that got me there.
ODU Lacrosse: Behind the Jersey Number
