What happens when a young varsity program attracts a student-athlete of unmistakable talent? In a word, recognition. But what then happens when teammates in the program respond to his presence? In another word, championships.
That happened to Drew's men's lacrosse program when Stephen Szlasa appeared in a Ranger uniform in 1985. It actually began a little earlier when his father, Richard Szlasa, became Drew's lacrosse coach and athletic director after a 10-year career at the U. S. Naval Academy.
But it was Steve Szlasa's ability to score, his challenge to teammates, and his ability to carry his team in the final minutes of games that produced Rangers victories. In the process he became Drew's first All-American in men's lacrosse. A transfer from Navy, Szlasa compiled an impressive list of Drew career records in three years. The midfielder graduated as the Rangers' leader in goals (104), total points (133), and ground balls (194), and he tied the single-game record with seven goals against Fairleigh Dickinson University-Teaneck.
His contributions helped produce the program's first winning season (10-5) and its first post-season appearance ever in the 1985 E.C.A.C. Metro Area Tournament. The Rangers repeated their 10-5 record the following year and then turned down an E.C.A.C. bid because of conflicts with final exams. In 1987 he again led the team in scoring and ground balls and helped Drew to an 11-4 record and into the championship game of the E.C.A.C. Metro Area Tournament against rival Fairleigh Dickinson University-Madison.
Recognition for his accomplishments included other firsts as well. Szlasa was the first Drew men's lacrosse player named to the All-Middle Atlantic Conference Team, gaining the honor all three seasons, and he earned first team All-New Jersey accolades each season as well.
