Holland Christian's Andrew Chesser to play college lacrosse in Italy

HOLLAND - Andrew Chesser had dreams of traveling the world.

But as he grew as a lacrosse player, the Holland Christian senior saw the sport as his ticket to college.

It turns out both dreams came together into one spectacular opportunity.

Chesser was selected to play lacrosse at the Rome City Institute in Italy.

"It is something I am really excited about. Not many people get this kind of an opportunity," Chesser said. "I was getting ready to settle and try to go play DII somewhere. But I have always wanted to travel the world. That has been my dream. I have not left the country before. Lacrosse took priority, then those to collided and that is something really special."

Chesser will take part in a 3 1/2-year undergraduate program in sports management and play four years of lacrosse.

"So I was scrolling through my emails a couple of months back and I came across one from Rome City Institute. It had a link to apply and I wasn’t exactly sure it was even a real thing. I filled out the application and the recruiting director reached out to set up a Zoom call," he said. "It was honestly even better than I expected even though I was still skeptical. I am still kind of in disbelief about this opportunity because there were several moments where I was ready to quit lacrosse because of a broken leg, covid, and then a orbital bone fracture due to a golf club. I have poured so much into the game of lacrosse and having the opportunity to grow it overseas while embracing a new culture is so fitting."

Chesser began playing lacrosse in the fourth grade. He had a knack for it instantly and has grown every year.

"He is an incredibly cereberal player out there. It is just like having another coach out there. He is going to bring a ton to his team over in Rome and absolutely excel," Holland Christian coach Micah Kool said. "One of the big spots where he has really grown has been trusting the guys around him. He is so good at seeing where the pressure is coming from and he makes that extra pass and finds the open situation. His sophomore season, he dealt with multiple injuries. He put on a ton of muscle and got to the size he needs to be for the physical part of the game. But he lives and breathes the sport. You can tell by the way he sees the game."

It is something Chesser takes pride in.

"What I have worked on is seeing the game and feeling the game. I can see it slow in my head. You can see when guys are cutting and dodging," he said. "Over there, a lot of guys are college graduates, but I think I can learn from them and grow into it and see where I go with it. I have always been an outgoing, social person. I know who I am and not worried about fitting in too much. I am excited to experience a whole new culture."

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While he said he has a few words in Italian down. He plans on learning the language quickly - and of course is looking forward to the food.

But he is ready to let his lacrosse game do some of the talking.

"It is always fun to see guys go and play at the next level. It is a testament to how much he cares about the sport," Kool said. "So much that he is going to find a spot to play in a different continent."

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Christian's Andrew Chesser to play college lacrosse in Italy