Tyler Benedetto saw minimal playing time in high school and part of college. (Photo Courtesy: Minese Photography).
A lot of times when we think of overcoming adversity, we tend to focus on one person overcoming it on their own. Tyler Benedetto’s experience with adversity on the lacrosse field is different.
Benedetto saw no playing time at Jupiter High School in Jupiter, Florida until his senior year because the starter in front of him who was also a close friend of his and now plays at Air Force, took most of the draws. When Benedetto’s senior year arrived, it was cut short only three games in when COVID-19 first arrived in 2020. Despite being named a team captain during that short time, Benedetto chose to become a mentor for his teammates. “I took the role of being a mentor to freshman and underclassman who had not found their place. Always lifting others up kept me in check and kept me humble throughout my career,” Benedetto said.
Benedetto also credits his best friend Clay Wissman who has been in support of him during the toughest of times and gives him tough love when he needs it. “I always tell him that hard work beats talent every time,” Clay said.
Benedetto did not start playing lacrosse until the seventh grade compared to the rest of his friends who started around first and second grade because he originally started playing soccer instead. It was not until middle school when his friends talked him out of playing soccer because he was too big.
Benedetto started his college lacrosse career at the Division One level staying local by attending Jacksonville University. He wound up transferring to Dean College this season for his own well-being as a player. “I found my priorities and I found my passion career wise, and Dean College met the needs of my future,” Benedetto said.
Since stepping foot onto campus Benedetto feels like he is right at home. “I can say people on campus are genuine. Not only people and professors that I have come across, but the custodians and the men and women working the cafeteria.”
Dean Lacrosse head coach Matthew Schraier said that Benedetto has been their top addition this season. “Our biggest addition has been Division One transfer Ty Benedetto at the face off. He has dominated in that role,” Schraier said.
“None of my successes would have been possible without the incredible coaching staff and the hardworking fellas on my wings picking up the tough ground balls,” Benedetto said in response to Coach Schraier’s compliment.
Another aspect of Benedetto transferring to play lacrosse in the northeast is the drastic weather change. Benedetto saw his first snow fall as well as his first snowstorm here at Dean. On the lacrosse field, he also believes that learning to use a stiffer head as a draw guy, which was bendier in the Florida heat, has made it more challenging in the Massachusetts cold weather to his surprise.
Looking at the team on the field this season, the Bulldogs are proving a lot of doubters wrong, including the GNAC who projected them to finish eighth in the conference this season, and Benedetto will not let them slide. “The success of the team so far is all possible due to the closeness of our tight knit group that we have formed. As a team, we all really bought in and established how special the opportunity is to be on the field together. The team goal is to show the GNAC we are not a number eight team. Our goal is to overcome doubts and diversity about our team. We are a dangerous group that should be circled on other teams’ schedules.”
“On a personal level, I just want to help the success of the team, be a team player and help build the momentum during games.”
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