By: Kevin Hulsmann '16
BEREA, Ohio --- Baldwin Wallace University sophomore and former Rocky River High School standout lacrosse student-athlete Michael Dickey is hoping to help the Yellow Jackets win their first-ever Ohio Athletic Conference title.
The BW lacrosse team had decent success during its first two seasons as a varsity sport. This season is even better for Dickey and the Yellow Jackets (11-1 overall and 3-1 in the OAC), and he is committed to leading the team to their first-ever OAC title.
"As for the team, I expect us to win the OAC playoffs and make it to our first national playoffs," said Dickey, who currently has 30 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers on the talented BW defense. "I think we have great team chemistry and always maintain focus on every individual game."
Dickey is one of 33 underclassmen on the team who have hopes on building on a strong lacrosse program at BW. This young and talented group has dedicated itself to bringing BW to the elite level of Division III lacrosse under Head Coach Jason Tarnow.
Tarnow, who is in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including his third at BW, has won 96 career games and has a 96-64 career mark. He has 24 wins at BW the past three seasons.
Dickey has had a solid career at BW , and the team has posted an 18-8 record during his first season and a half. He earned his first varsity letter as a freshman when the Jackets finished 7-7 overall. Dickey has appeared in 25 games, scored once and collected 65 ground balls and caused 40 turnovers.
Dickey believes that BW has helped him grow, both in academics and athletics.
"BW from an academic perspective has transformed me into a very intelligent man and the collegiate experience has taught me new things every day," said Dickey. "It has allowed me to develop into a gentleman and a scholar.
"My BW experience also has turned me into a better leader, and it has taught me that success is not easy; but if you keep battling and working hard, eventually things will turn around."
Evidence of that is BW's two come-from-behind victories a week ago at the University of Mount Union when BW came back from a one-goal deficit entering the final period to win 11-8, and in a 12-10 victory against OAC and Cleveland cross-town rival John Carroll University.
Dickey's leadership and experiences the past year and a half also makes him a great spokesperson for the BW lacrosse program. He also is an advocate for Tarnow.
"I would tell a possible recruit that coming to BW would be an ideal situation for them," said Dickey, who also serves as a student assistant in the sports information office and works a second job as a student assistant in operations at the athletics department. "Our team is very young and we are continuing to grow as a group both mentally and physically.
"I also would tell them that it's not always going be easy, but we are given every opportunity to compete and be accepted on to the team with open arms."
Dickey also believes that by being a leader to the younger players, he is showing them that the team is most important.
"As for my legacy, I want to be remembered on the field as a team player," said Dickey. "I want to be remembered as somebody who always worked hard and helped to build a new culture and tradition for the lacrosse program."
He has also enjoyed his BW lacrosse career.
"I would say that playing college lacrosse for Coach Tarnow is one of the best decisions I made at Baldwin Wallace," said Dickey. "I believe I've made a bunch of life-long friendships through lacrosse. Our team really emphasizes being a family and that if we stick together, we can accomplish a lot of things."
During his next two years at the University, look for Dickey to do something special for Baldwin Wallace both on and off the field.
The BW men's lacrosse team is back in action on Wednesday, April 22 when the Yellow Jackets travel to New Concord, Ohio to play OAC rival Muskingum University in McConagha Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The final regular season home game is next Saturday, April 25 versus Capital University on Tressel Field at The George Finnie Stadium on Seniors' & Parents' Day at 1 p.m.
The 2015 OAC Tournament begins on Wednesday, April 29 with semi-final games at the highest seed. The OAC Championship game is on Saturday, May 2.
