As the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side, and for SUNY Cortland junior Gunnar Johnson, this rings especially true. In just his second year at Cortland, Johnson was able to revamp the Cortland club lacrosse program into a powerhouse.
Johnson committed to Springfield University to play division three lacrosse out of high school after a successful high school career. Although he made an impact for Springfield as a freshman, disagreements with coaching staff diminished his attitude towards the game he fell in love with at five years old.
“I didn’t enjoy the atmosphere”, said Johnson. “I was lucky enough to play my freshman year, but I never felt at home”. After a 2021 campaign that saw Springfield finish the season with a record of 8-9 and 4-2 in conference play, Johnson felt it was time to make a change of scenery.
“The team chemistry was never there, and I felt it had to do with the coaches,” said Johnson. “It is always a relief when you have a coach who pushes you to be successful but can also be your friend, and I never felt that was the case”.
After transferring to Cortland in the fall of 2021, Johnson joined the club lacrosse team to continue playing the sport he loved, with less of a structured approach. But his impact was immediate, taking Cortland club lacrosse to an NCLL (National College Lacrosse League) birth in his first season.
“I found a new home here and I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “We may not have a coach but the leaders on this team push everyone to play together as a team and we all have a drive to win”.
With the conclusion of the 2022 spring season, Johnson was elected as the vice president of the team in a landslide. “It was really humbling to see how much love the guys showed considering I’ve only been here one year,” said Johnson. “We have showed it’s possible to still be competitive at the club lacrosse level”.
With the 2023 spring season quickly approaching, and a big group of new members along with many key pieces still on the team, the red dragons look to achieve another NCLL birth and finish their season with a trophy. Starting March 5th at home against rivals Syracuse.
“Club lacrosse has not only helped me make friendships that will last a lifetime but has also allowed me to continue playing the sport I fell in love with at 5 years old,” said Johnson. “I’ll remember these memories and big wins for the rest of my life”.