Committing to play at the college level is one of the biggest decisions a student-athlete has to make. For Bishop Fenwick senior Stefano Fabiano, who committed this week to play lacrosse at Endicott College, it was best to make his decision early.
“I thought it would be good to commit early, especially this year with COVID-19,” said Fabiano, who has been an offensive lynchpin for the Crusaders in his two years with the team. “I had a few offers and I looked at a lot of local schools, and I just felt that Endicott would be the best place for me.”
“We’re all so proud of Stefano and so happy for him making his decision,” said Fenwick lacrosse coach Steve Driscoll. “Stefano is a great kid, a gifted athlete and an awesome competitor. Endicott is getting a great new addition.”
Fabiano has a family connection to Endicott as his mother is an alum of the school, but that’s not the only thing that drew his eye.
“I really wanted to play college lacrosse, and they have a great program,” said Fabiano. “I loved the campus, I loved the business program and I loved the fact that it’s pretty close to home.”
Fabiano, who scored 128 total points in his first two seasons with Fenwick, was looking forward to another strong season as a junior before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down his season this past spring.
“I was really disappointed,” Fabiano said. “I really felt like last season was going to be my year to stand out so it was tough to deal with. But at the same time, I couldn’t slow down so I kept working on my game as much as I could.”
Fabiano joined The Fighting Clams this summer for club lacrosse, playing against a number of top-tier Division I, II and III college prospects.
“Most of the kids who play there are high-level players and there are a ton of great coaches there, so it was a great experience for me,” Fabiano said. “I knew a couple of guys who played on the team already so that was great, and it was just good to compete with so many talented players all summer.”
Fabiano is also in a unique position this year, as he’s also on the Fenwick football team. This year’s football season will be played from Feb. 22 to April 25 before the spring season — and lacrosse — begins on April 26.
“It’ll definitely be different and interesting, but I think I’m up for it,” said Fabiano, who caught five touchdowns for the Crusaders last fall in their run to the Division 6 Super Bowl. “I hope the wear-and-tear doesn’t hurt a lot of guys after the football season, but I think we’re going to be okay.”
As for the lacrosse season this spring, Fabiano knows there will be some hard work coming up for the team after it lost a number of players to graduation.
“We lost a ton of guys, so we’re going to have to work hard to get back to where we were,” said Fabiano. “It’s a team game and we’re all going to have to work together.”
“It’s a ‘next man up’ mentality for us,” said Driscoll. “We graduated a lot of kids but we also have a great group returning along with Stefano. We expect to go out there, compete every day and try to make a run at a tournament spot and a league title.”
