Hall of Fame
In the fall of his senior year in high school, Tom Lemieux committed to play lacrosse at Cabrini, but he had no idea that later that year, after his team captured the state title, his college options would expand greatly.
“I was a late bloomer so before my senior year, I didn’t get a lot of looks from college coaches,” Lemieux explained.
That spring, as Comsewogue High School’s season continued, Lemieux was fielding phone calls from coaches who he never dreamed would contact him.
“I had Division I schools wanting me to come and play for them.”
But Lemieux never wavered, and the Cabrini men’s lacrosse program is grateful for that.
The Long Island native ended his four-year career at Cabrini as the all-time leading scorer, tallying 99 goals, including a career-best 33 as a senior, and ending with 228 career points. As a two-year team captain, Lemieux helped lead the Cavaliers to PAC crowns in both 2001 and 2002, beginning a streak of seven straight league titles, and the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002.
“Throughout everything, my parents were my strongest supporters. I think that my father made it to almost every single game, home and away, during my four seasons. They were there for the ups and downs and I appreciate all that they did to encourage me.”
As a freshman, Lemieux finished second on the squad with 27 goals but struggled the following year as he tried to find his role. In his final two seasons, Lemieux returned as the team’s go-to guy and as a senior was named the conference’s Player of the Year.
“My last two years, we all came together and made it a point to work hard to try and accomplish more. As team captain, I put a lot of pressure on myself to lead by example and when I look back, it’s unbelievable how far we came.”
Lemieux credits the Cabrini coaching staff for the success that the program has found and the direction that his life has taken. After earning a degree in sociology, Lemieux returned home to New York, not knowing exactly what the future held for him.
“Coach Colfer convinced me to come back and got me a job with the grounds crew at Cabrini. During the following three years, I was able to get a master’s in education and also serve as an assistant coach.”
Lemieux currently works as a special education teacher at Ridley High School and coaches under former Cabrini assistant coach Mike Friel at Springfield High School in Delaware County.
