Ian Dingman had to decide last year what was more important: playing lacrosse or graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Six months after helping lead Navy to the 2004 NCAA men?s lacrosse championship game, Dingman ? a second-team All-American attack as a sophomore ? unenrolled from the Academy for academic reasons.
Although Dingman could have gone to another Division I lacrosse program that didn?t have the rigorous academic requirements of Navy, he chose to rededicate himself to his studies. In addition, he wanted to join brothers Lee and Chris as service academy graduates. Lee is a 2000 Army graduate while Chris graduated from Navy in 2003.
“I never put any thought into going anywhere else,” Dingman said. “Ten minutes after being dismissed, I worked out a plan with Coach (Richie) Meade on a plan to get readmitted. I didn?t realize what I had given up until I was gone.”
Dingman then took a break from lacrosse, returned home to New York and attended classes at Jefferson Community College. Concentrating solely on academics paid off as Dingman received the rare opportunity to return to Navy in August.
Getting back to Annapolis was just the first step for Dingman. He then needed to get back into shape for the lacrosse season as he only played in two club tournaments and participated in the tryouts for the U.S. National Team in the last year.
“I didn?t have any conditioning,” Dingman said. “It was gone.”
Although bigger and not as well conditioned as he was two years ago, Dingman worked hard and put together a solid season by scoring 30 goals and dishing out 10 assists for the 11-3 Midshipman. That record earned Navy a postseason berth and a first-round contest at No. 8 Georgetown at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The Hoyas beat the Midshipman, 9-5, April 1 in Annapolis.
“We had defensive breakdowns and couldn?t get out shots on offense against Georgetown last time,” Dingman said. “But, we?re really playing well right now and this is a year when any team can win on any given day.”
THE DINGMAN FILE
» Dingman was a Face-Off preseason honorable mention All-America selection in 2004 and 2006.
» Dingman scored 36 goals and had 26 assists and was one of 15 finalists for the Tewaaraton Trophy in 2004. Additionally, he was the recipient of the William H. “Dinty” Moore Award in 2003 and 2004 as the Mids? most outstanding offensive player.
» Dingman has 89 goals and 53 assists in three seasons with Navy.
