The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Alessi helping chase another title for Bulldogs
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In November Jason Alessi helped Yale win its first outright Ivy League football title in 38 years. Last weekend he played a major role in the first NCAA Final Four berth for the men’s lacrosse team since 1990.
The senior midfielder isn’t quite finished with the quest for elusive Yale championships just yet. Two wins this weekend, starting with Saturday’s semifinal game with Albany (noon, ESPNU) will make the Bulldogs national champions in lacrosse for the first time since 1883, back when the title was handed to the team with the best regular-season record.
“I’m very lucky and fortunate to be in this position,” Alessi said Friday after Yale’s practice at Gillette Stadium. “I’ve been on some winning teams over the course of my four years. I guess I’m here at the right time. A lot of firsts are coming our way.”
Alessi’s legacy may go beyond restoring Yale athletic glory. His success over the past four years in both football and lacrosse is the foundation for a budding synergy between the programs.
Andy Shay, Yale’s lacrosse coach, says a couple of incoming freshmen are planning to play both sports. The pair is even looking out for one another on the recruiting trail. Football in the fall and lacrosse in the spring is a common combination at the high school level.
“If a kid wants to play both, he can come to Yale,” Shay said. “That’s kind of rare. Not a lot of football and lacrosse coaches have that kind of relationship, I don’t think.”
Alessi has been essential to both teams. As a football player, he played in 38 of 40 career games, earning AllIvy League honorable mention last fall as a defensive back. He’s s the only player in school history with two punt returns for touchdowns of at least 80 yards.
Alessi will have a chance to continue lacrosse after college. He was selected by Charlotte with the 39th overall pick of the Major League Lacrosse draft. But the first order of business is making more Yale history. A win over Albany would mark the school’s first appearance in a national championship game, setting up a meeting with either Duke or Maryland.
Rest, celebration, and perhaps a little reflection, will come in time.
“My graduation was last weekend,” Alessi said. “It’s been an awesome ride with family and friends, especially my mom and dad. I’ve loved it all.”