Conner Delaney ’17: They say almost all college athletes “Go pro in something other than sports.” After the recent Major League Lacrosse (MLL) draft, however, this will not be the case for Episcopal Academy grad Jackson Place ’10. The Ohio Machine recently drafted the Bucknell University senior defensemen in this year’s MLL Draft with the 25th pick. The preseason 3rd team All-American will return to for his fourth year as a starter, being that he cannot enter the MLL until he has finished college.
Photo Courtesy of the Episcopal Academy
Place had several reasons to think that he would not be drafted, saying, “I’m a smaller guy, from a smaller school, so I never really thought it was a possibility. Teams started contacting me before the draft, so I got my hopes up a little bit, and then…” Place is only 5’11″ and 185 lbs., but his skill makes up for his size. He finished his junior campaign with 43 groundballs, notching third highest recorded on the team and clinching number 17 national ranking with 30 caused turnovers.
Following the news, Place’s former EA teammates shared their own memories of playing with Place. “Jackson to this day is still the best captain I have ever had,” said Sam Lawlor ’12. “Whether it was the day after a big win or just off a demoralizing loss, the steadfastness in his competitive approach to practice every day never owe wavered.”
“When I was at EA, I wouldn’t say I thought of it as a possibility, but I knew I was playing against the best,” said Place, when asked if he had thought of this back in high school. Place was voted Inter-Ac Most Important player back in his senior season at Episcopal in 2010. He also reeled in the accolades such as All-Delco, All-Main Line, All-State and All-America selections as a Churchman. As Jackson Place plays his last year as a Bison, at least he will know that he will be making money doing the sport he loves when he is done.