Jamie Ward of Glen Rock, a senior midfielder on the Bergen Catholic lacrosse team received a call from his head Coach Joe Haemmerle on the way back home from his graduation. It was news that Ward couldn’t believe at the time.
"Coach Haemmerle gave me a call and told me that I had been named an academic All-American", said Ward. "I was speechless and almost in disbelief. And then he added to the news that I am the school's first ever academic All-American. I was in the car with my family on the way to brunch after my graduation and I told everyone right away. We are all extremely happy and honored that I was chosen for this incredible award. I worked extremely hard out on the field, in the weight room, and especially in the classroom to make this all possible and it is such a relieving feeling to know that it has all paid off and also that I can say I'm the first one.”
It is an incredible accomplishment for the hard working Ward to be the first academic All-American to come out of the Bergen Catholic program. Ward enjoyed his time greatly as a Crusader.
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“My lacrosse career at BC has been awesome over the past 4 years", said Ward. "When I was in middle school, I would always dream about getting different lacrosse honors in high school like the players that I would read about in the paper at the end of each spring season. I knew I had the potential to reach my goals but they were definitely hard to grasp because I know how great the competition is. Junior year was when I received my first awards. I was the leading goal scorer on our team for the 2010 season and was also selected to the All-Gibbs and All-State teams.”
It was the same story this season as Ward led the team in scoring again and made All-Gibbs and All-State again.
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The Wards have been a part of BC lacrosse for awhile now as both of Jamie’s brothers graduated as Crusaders and played for Coach Haemmerle as well, whom Jamie has loved playing for.
“He's been great to me ever since I stepped through the doors my freshman year, said Ward. He is always looking out for all of us whether we are on the field or not.”
Ward will be continuing his lacrosse career at Holy Cross next season, which is a Division 1 program that has an impressive recruiting class coming in including Frank Gaul, who is a long time friend of Ward’s and who played lacrosse at rival Don Bosco.
When Ward is not playing lacrosse, he enjoys surfing, snowboarding and playing music, whether it be drums, guitar, bass, or his main instrument, the piano, which he has played at Carnegie Hall on many occasions.
