A special spring has smoothly transitioned to a special fall for the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys Lacrosse program.

After winning the league title in May for the first time since 1989, three Titans signed their National Letters of Intent Nov. 7 to play Division I lacrosse at the collegiate level.

Defender Luke Robinson ’23 (University of Massachusetts-Amherst) and attackman J.J. Fox ’23 (Sacred Heart University), a pair of key players on the 2022 championship team, signed their NLI’s, as did postgraduate goalie Carter O’Brien ’23 (University of Massachusetts-Lowell).

“This is a special night for the WMA Lacrosse program and WMA Athletics in general,” said Coach Mike MacDonald, a former All-American at Syracuse University, where he won two national titles. “This is the first time in a long time we have three kids from our team go to Division I schools, and right now it’s saying where we’re at as a program and what type of student-athlete we’re attracting at Wilbraham & Monson Academy.”

Quotes from the players

Luke on why he was interested in UMass-Amherst: “(I love) the coaching staff, the big school aspect and the great program that Coach (Greg) Canella has there with the culture he’s built.”

Luke on signing his NLI after verbally committing to the Minutemen a year ago: “It’s very exciting. It’s a big relief to sign, and I’m really excited to get started next fall and get on campus.”

J.J. on what attracted him to Sacred Heart: “I connected really well with the coaching staff and the campus overall. I felt I could see myself getting on the field there and loving school.”

J.J. on his NLI: “It proves all your hard work pays off. It’s surreal.”

Carter on the UMass-Lowell program: “One thing that I really liked that the coaching staff emphasized was that not only are we very good on the lacrosse field, but in the classroom as well. They don’t want a bunch of dumb jocks on their team. That really stood out to me. I’ve been talking to them for about a year, and through the continued contact I fell in love with the school.”

Carter on signing his NLI: “It’s amazing. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid. I made it my goal (to play Division I lacrosse). I worked hard for it and it’s all starting to pay off, and now that it’s official this day really cements all the work I’ve put in, that Luke’s put in and that J.J.’s put in. It’s such a great day for me, the school and the program.”