For the men of Albion College lacrosse, wearing the purple and gold is about far more than playing a sport. It’s about discipline, resilience, and brotherhood. The program, guided by Head Coach Jake DeCola, pushes student-athletes to grow into stronger players and more mature men, both on and off the field.
The Demands of the Student-Athlete Life
Junior midfielder Ethan Barker knows better than most how relentless the life of a student-athlete can be. Juggling four classes, labs, mandatory study hours, and two-hour practices leaves little breathing room. “Most guys are done (with classes) by 3–5 p.m. each day so nobody is late for practices,” he says. But that doesn’t mean the day ends there. Barker estimates he spends another 6–10 hours a week buried in homework or studying, trying to keep up with the academic side of things.
The athletic workload is just as grueling—if not more. Fall practices stretch three to four days a week, often stacked on top of 6 a.m. weightlifting sessions three times weekly. Each practice begins with “pre-practice” drills to sharpen fundamentals before ramping up into high-speed, full-field play. “It’s a lot of running,” Barker explains. “Sometimes guys get their heart rates up into the 170–180 range.”
It’s a schedule that demands constant stamina, strict discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. There’s little margin for error—missed classes, sloppy practice reps, or lapses in focus can cost both academically and athletically. Yet, despite the grind, Barker notes that the shared struggle creates a powerful bond. Enduring the same pressures together is what turns teammates into something more like family.
Traditions That Build Unity
The Britons take pride in their rituals. Before each practice and game, they stand together, recite their team creed, and physically prepare by clapping in rhythm and shoving one another; a symbolic reminder that lacrosse is a contact sport and they’re ready for battle.
On game days, the team also shares smaller traditions that deepen their connection. They stop at Meijer for snacks while coaches provide fruit, and Gatorade. Players wear khakis and matching polos before games to demonstrate their professionalism and how seriously they take their role, and many, like Barker, follow personal routines. “I listen to the same five songs while getting dressed into my uniform,” he says.
Cal Stearns, a senior midfielder and team captain, also notes that they have a tradition of doing vocalization before every practice and game. He says that they recite the following lines in unision:
“What we do is important
What we do takes courage
My teammates count on me to do my best
I choose to put my team first
I choose to give my best effort everyday
I care about my effort and my teammates effort
We train to be mentally and physically tough
I’m thankful for the opportunity to compete today
I’m thankful for the opportunity to make mistakes today
I’m proud to represent Harper today
I love my brothers, I love my brothers, I love my brothers.
What we do is important.
What we do takes courage.”
“It lets us be present together and remind ourselves and each other that we are here for a reason and that we should always take advantage of the privilege of being able to play the game we love with the people we love” Stearns notes.
Harper Strong
One line that will forever echo is, “I am proud to represent Harper today.” Harper Mathis was more than just a name connected to the Albion College Men’s Lacrosse team; she was a light, a fighter, and a friend. Vibrant and courageous, Harper faced pediatric brain tumors with a strength that humbled everyone who knew her. Through the team’s partnership with Vs. Cancer, she became part of their family, and her spirit quickly became inseparable from the program itself.
Since 2021, the team walked beside Harper and her family, not out of duty, but out of love. In May 2025, when Harper’s courageous battle came to an end, the team didn’t just lose a supporter, they lost a sister. Yet Harper’s story is not defined by her passing, but by the legacy she leaves behind. Her number “9” lives on in their jersey’s, in every huddle, and every game. The men play with her determination, her discipline, her heart.
Harper showed them, and continues to show them, what it truly means to be a Brit. Her courage fuels their drive, her memory binds them together, and her spirit steps onto the field with them every single day.
Brotherhood Beyond the Field
The lacrosse program is known for its deep sense of camaraderie. “There are definitely groups of friends throughout the team,” Barker says, “but we always do our best to hang out with underclassmen as much as we can, especially as they adjust to life away from home and family.”
That spirit is strengthened by a program tradition called “Brothers.” Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are paired with freshmen to mentor them, check in on their well-being, and make sure they’re on time to every event. It’s a system that ensures no one is left behind.
“Knowing that you have 35+ guys who will always have your back makes the adjustment away from home much easier,” Barker reflects.
For him, the bond extends well beyond campus. “A lot of the guys I’ve played with here will also be invited to my wedding in the future,” he says. “My little brother just committed here, so getting the opportunity to play with him again means the world.”
The DeCola Difference
Much of this culture can be traced back to Head Coach Jake DeCola, a cornerstone of both Albion College and the Albion community. Under his leadership, the team has not only become a perennial MIAA contender but has also built a reputation for discipline, accountability, and mutual support.
“I never knew how important mental training was until Coach DeCola walked me through it,” Barker says. “He’s helped me become more focused, more resilient, and better at handling pressure both on and off the field.”
DeCola and his staff emphasize that lacrosse is more than wins and losses. The program’s mission is to build men of character; leaders in the classroom, in competition, and in the community. That influence extends to moments of triumph, like Albion’s MIAA championship win last spring, but also to the everyday growth that prepares athletes for life after college.
A Program That Shapes Lives
Barker, now in his junior year, can see how far he’s come. “I’ve become much better at managing my time, staying on top of everyday tasks, and communicating with everyone in the program. I’ve also grown into a more mature person,” he says. “I’ve become stronger and faster from all of the workouts, and I’ve realized how important discipline and mental training are.”
What unites the team is a shared drive for progress. “We all share the same value of wanting to get better every day and pushing ourselves past the point of comfort,” Barker explains. “This helps us on the field because every day in the offseason we are all progressing as a unit. Off the field, you know your teammates can help you with classes because they all work hard on their coursework.”
For Barker, and for many of his teammates, being part of Albion lacrosse has been life changing. “Playing men’s lacrosse for Albion College means everything to me,” he says. “I knew I would work harder than I ever had, and that has helped me so much off the field. I will forever be thankful for Coach DeCola, and I’m glad I chose to be a Brit for the rest of my life.”
More Than a Game
In the end, Albion men’s lacrosse is not just about competition, it’s about brotherhood, growth, and community. From grueling practices to lifelong friendships, the lessons learned under Coach DeCola’s leadership extend far beyond the field.
For the players, it means knowing that every sprint, every creed, and every championship chase isn’t just preparing them for the next game; it’s preparing them for life.
Albion Life Today 