In the next two weeks, we will be profiling American players who will be trying out for team USA. Today, we go one on one with Chicago Outlaws player Nicholas Jonas.
Q. Where has your lacrosse career taken you?
My lacrosse career has taken me to places I thought I’d never ever visit, experience new things, and meet a TON of new people. For starters, after I finished college I paid my way to Toronto in hopes of being drafted in the NLL Draft in September 2013. I knew there were a lot of big name D1 players that would be selected during the draft, so being an MCLA kid – I didn’t think I’d have much of a chance. At best, I was just hoping for an invite to training camp. However, the Minnesota Swarm saw something in me that they thought I could offer the team, and decided to draft me then and there, and become a part of the organization.
After the 2014 NLL season was over, I flew to Washington DC and tried out for the Charlotte Hounds and Chesapeake Bayhawks from the MLL. That was an awesome experience in and of itself! The tryout went really well, and I proved to myself that I could compete at that NCAA D1 level because I kept my own amongst guys from Towson, Army, Duke and many others from the big name schools out east that I’ve watched on TV. That gave me a huge confidence boost and told me I was on the right track. While I was out there, I took it upon myself to go explore our nation’s capital. It was SO COOL, I’ve never been to DC before so I did all the touristy things … but it was totally worth the time! If you haven’t had a chance to get out there and go explore, I HIGHLY recommend it!
Then this summer I played with the Chicago Outlaws in the CILL. It was a ton of traveling from MN to Chicago every weekend, but the experience, the knowledge, and the growth of new friends/teammates was well worth it. I’ve been from Canada, to DC, to visiting and feeling like Chicago is now a 2nd home for me. My lacrosse career has taken me to all sorts of places that I wouldn’t have considered visiting before.
Q. Talk about this season with the Outlaws
Well, winning the CILL Championship was a HUGE accomplishment, not only for myself, but for the team as well! From day one … we made it clear that’s what the goal was and we ALL would sacrifice to make it happen. For me though, being able to fine tune my box skills with a team that has such great chemistry like the Outlaws was well worth the effort on my part. Ray, our GM, made it apparent as soon as I called him that I would have to prove I could have chemistry with the team, if I was going to be able to be a part of it … Because that’s what ultimately makes a great team. Not how skilled one or two people are on the team.
I am blessed to have the flexibility I do with my job that allows me to work remotely during 1 or 2 weeks I was in Chicago. However, for the most part I drove 7 hours (Minneapolis -> Chicago) almost every weekend from August through the end of September to play games with the team. Sometimes, even for 1 game during the weekend. Still, I told Ray when I joined the team that I could be counted on and dependable for every game. And I never missed one. It was a massive time commitment for me, using every weekend I had for the entire two months, it was especially hard on my family as well because having a career makes for little time to see each other during the week as it is. However, with their support it kept me going and told me they backed me 100% in my dream to make the highest level of lacrosse a reality. I trained at my local gym and used the equipment I had at home to get a workout in as often as I could … I wanted to give the team I played on everything I had.
In the end it was worth it. All the time, all the traveling, all the sacrifice. I helped a team who’d never won a Championship before now become the best team in the league and take home the Cup for the first time. I learned SO MUCH from my time with the Outlaws. My box lacrosse experience and knowledge has grown 10 fold, and I feel like I’d make a great addition to Team USA.
Q. What is your biggest strength as a player?
I’d say my biggest strength as a player is my willingness to learn / coachability. Part of who I am is knowing how things work, and bettering myself always. During training, if I’m not doing something right, or my form is off – when my coach calls me on it, I’m quick to adjust. However, later I ask why that needs to happen and how I can prevent it from happening in the future, to better myself continually. I approach lacrosse in much the same way. If I mess up on a play, or don’t make the slide – I’m coached/told what I’m supposed to do, and make the change instantly. However, when time allows, I’ll pick my coaches brain and inquire more about why I need to do that so I can keep myself from inherently reverting back to old ways.
Although, being 6’4”, my size doesn’t hurt either!
Q. Who do you base your game off of/idolize as a player?
Brodie Merrill – I’ve always liked how this guy plays. I’ve watched him both indoor and out. He’s a monster … same size as me and has great ground ball skills and soft hands. He’s smart, and a great leader out on the field. Many of the characteristics I pride myself on I see in him. He’s a great example of what type of person I try to emulate when I play lacrosse both inside and outside.
Q. What is your lacrosse career goals?
To play professionally and for my country. This has been a dream of mine since I first played lacrosse, and still holds true today.
To play in front of my family and friends at home. They have supported me since DAY ONE. Without their love and support I probably wouldn’t be where I am in my life today. They are the force behind why I have the drive to be, and play my absolute best. They have given me so much, & I think the only way I can really pay them back is to show them how much I appreciate their support, by going out there and giving them & the team I play on everything I possibly have.
