By Charles Nolde

Virginia Military Institute. Photo credit: Kipp Teague via flickr.

The Collegiate boys varsity lacrosse team is carrying a great deal of momentum going into the VISAA tournament this week, with an impressive record of 14-2, drawing praise from co-captain Warner Lewis (‘24), who emphasized the team’s determination. “We’ve won some super tough games this year and showed our grit and resilience,” Lewis remarked, “However, the job’s not finished. I can’t wait to see what we do the rest of the year. This is a special group of guys.”

What makes this team particularly special is its representation of military and service schools. Alongside Lewis’s commitment to play lacrosse at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), the team boasts commitments from Adam Sulanke (‘25) to the United States Military Academy at West Point and Ben Heidt (‘25) to the US Air Force Academy. Adding to the dynamic, head coach Zack Schroeder, is a US Naval Academy lacrosse alum. With such a diverse array of commitments to service academies, the team stands out as a testament to dedication on and off the field. As a current player on the lacrosse team, I value Schroeder’s leadership skills and look forward to seeing my teammates grow from their experiences in at the academies. 

Lewis, two-year captain and starting attackman, is a driven and disciplined athlete, embodying the ethos of VMI with a strong work ethic. With a deep-rooted interest in military service inspired by his grandfather’s experiences in World War II, his decision to attend VMI wasn’t a surprise. Lewis’s brother Porter is a current Junior at VMI. Warner looks forward to attending the same college as his older brother but made clear his independence in his decision. Warner said, “Although Porter does go to VMI, I knew that I loved the school regardless of his presence. Sure, for one year we will be together, and that is a huge perk, but I would not say it influenced my decision.” Lewis is also excited to be joined at VMI with fellow classmates and friends Braden Bell (‘24) and Will Slater (‘24). 

The US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons user ForgottenColorado.

Lewis is eager to embrace the rigorous training regimen at VMI. He envies, however, his teammates Sulanke’s and Heidt’s different training requirements at their service schools. Lewis told me, “the training the ‘Rats’ [or New Cadets, VMI’s equivalent to a freshman] go through is six months long, and from what I’ve heard, brutal is an understatement. While very rigorous, the service schools’ training is shorter, only six weeks over the summer.” When asked if being committed boosted Lewis’s confidence or felt like added pressure, he said, “I feel no pressure. It honestly was a confidence booster for me. I know that no matter how I play or how many stats I record, I will be playing next year.” Lewis’s love for lacrosse and hard work is invaluable to Collegiate’s lacrosse Team. 

Starting midfielder Heidt had a different background than Lewis. Heidt said, “The service academies weren’t really on my radar until two months into the recruitment period, when I received a text from the [Air Force] coach, wanting to talk. I called him and became deeply intrigued with what the academy has to offer and what it stands for.” After this talk and a visit, Heidt was persuaded by Air Force’s coaches and academic and physical resources to commit. 

The Air Force Academy, and other service academies, differ from VMI. If you attend a service academy, there is a five-year service military requirement after you graduate. But at VMI, service is not required after graduation. However, about 50% of VMI graduates commission into the military following graduation, and about 18% make the military a career. Heidt is unsure of what area in the Air Force he wants to serve in, and Lewis is also unsure of any plans after graduation.  

The US Military Academy at West Point in New York. Photo credit: USMA.

Like Heidt, close defender Sulanke never saw himself at a military school until it was suggested to him. Sulanke said that after talking to Schroeder about his time at the Naval Academy and researching the Army, “I realized that it could help set me up for life and also play high-level lacrosse.” This high level lacrosse has been apparent in Army’s success this year, being ranked number one in the country earlier in the season. Sulanke said Army’s successful year makes him feel thrilled: “I think it is awesome to see a military school so highly ranked, and it makes me very excited to play for the team.”  

Instead of going straight to the team and academy, Sulanke is going to the United States Military Academy Prep School for a year, something most lacrosse recruits do. Sulanke told me, “Most of the lacrosse guys are sent to the prep school to build muscle and prepare for the actual academy. It is much like redshirting, which isn’t allowed at academies.” Despite the anticipation of an additional year before officially joining the team, Sulanke acknowledged the benefits of prep school, including the opportunity to interact with the team and coaches while enjoying additional freedoms, such as having a car on campus.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons user Rdsmith4.

Schroeder, who played as a long stick midfielder, is extremely supportive of his players’ decisions. He said, “I expect Adam, Warner, and Ben to be very successful at their chosen schools, both in the classroom, on the lacrosse field, and in service to their country. These are three very special young men whom I admire greatly for making such a selfless decision. They are all prepared, and while the transition may be a bit of a shock for them, I am confident they will persevere through whatever challenges the military academies throw at them.” 

Schroeder reflected on his time at the Naval Academy, concluding that the one of the most special things about attending a service academy is the connections you make with your classmates and teammates. After graduation, he attended Navy Supply Corps school in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS WASP (LHD-1) out of Norfolk, serving for two years in Norfolk, then two years in Guam at the Fleet Logistics Center, and finished his five-year commitment at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He mentioned that the struggles you go through at school and in real service are hard for outsiders to comprehend, but these challenges draw you immensely closer to your peers, forming lifelong friendships. 

Photo credit: Randolph Campbell.

Schroeder looks forward to watching all of his players compete at the collegiate level. He said, “I have great respect for all of the service academies and military schools and will cheer for each of them, unless they are playing Navy!”

With the season almost done, the boys varsity lacrosse team is poised for continued success. Lewis, Heidt, and Sulanke, guided by Schroeder’s leadership, are ready to represent their respective military and service academies with pride and a shared commitment to excellence on and off the field.