Likely no one had a more unique perspective of Saturday?s Maryland-Butler men?s basketball tournament game than Jeremy Sieverts.
Sieverts, a sophomore midfielder for Maryland?s men?s lacrosse team, was in Indiana playing for Butler just a few months ago. But in January, Butler announced the elimination of its men?s lacrosse program, and the players decided not to play out the season.
Within a few days, Sieverts, a McDonogh graduate, was in College Park thanks in part to Butler coach Stan Ross? past relationship with Maryland coach Dave Cottle, who coached Ross when both were at Loyola in the mid-1990s.
“It?s been a roller coaster of a year for me so far,” Sieverts said. “I have a lot of friends back at Butler. I got kind of lucky getting to transfer here and play right away. A lot of other guys from the team are still looking for some place to go. Coach Cottle?s been good to me getting through the transfer process. We?re still getting things worked out, but it?s all worked out well. We found out on a Friday night, and the next day, I was talking with Coach Cottle.”
Sieverts has quickly acclimatedto his new team, playing on the second midfield.
He has six goals and two assists this season, including three goals in Saturday?s 11-7 win over the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
Cottle said he?s amazed with how well Sieverts adjusted to Maryland despite not arriving at College Park until right after spring practice got underway.
“Jeremy has been at a disadvantage for us,” Cottle said.
“He didn?t have the fall or January to work out. All we did is plug him into different spots of the offense because we didn?t have time to work with him. So, as we now settle in to a week-to-week thing, he?s starting to get more work in, and I think he feels more comfortable now.”
Maryland senior attack Michael Phipps said Sieverts has been a welcome addition to the Terps this season, especially as the team deals with a number of injuries to key players.
The Terps host North Carolina on Saturday.
“Jeremy had a big game for us [Saturday],” Phipps said. “He set the tone for us early. He was a nice pick-up for us this year, and we?re lucky to have him as a part of our team.”
THE SIEVERTS FILE
» Age: 19
» Height: 6-foot-3
» Weight: 195 pounds
» Hometown: Lutherville
» Major: Business
» Did you know? Sieverts led Butler last year with nine assists and was second on the team in goals (16) and points (25). He also picked up 25 ground balls and scored four extra-man goals ? He was also a two-year starter for McDonogh in high school, leading the Eagles to a Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title in 2005 after finishing the season with 20 goals and 18 assists.
