St. Mary’s senior men’s lacrosse defender Ryan Alexander, this week’s CAC INTRODUCING … featured student-athlete, is a four-year All-CAC honoree, including first-team midfielder three times and the 2007 Rookie of the Year.

What is your background in the sport you play?  I started playing when I was 10 years old after receiving a flyer from the Laurel Boys & Girls Club and deciding to give it a shot.  I played at the Laurel Boys & Girls Club for one year on the Pee-Wee team, two years on the Midget team, and two on the Junior team.  I went to St. Vincent Pallotti High school and played four years of varsity.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot on the St. Mary’s campus is down at the docks.  It is a great place to enjoy nice weather and relax from the rigors of school and lacrosse.

Other than your team, what organization(s) do you participate in?  I am very active with the intramural sports on campus, including floor hockey, flag football, basketball, and volleyball.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  The most important societal issue facing college students is the use of drugs.  Students are experiencing new freedoms being away from parental supervision and learning their limits.  They succumb to peer pressure and/or their own curiosity, experimenting with drugs which could potentially lead to an overdose.  Overdosing can be rationalized as a type of learning process in which the individual can gauge their limits.  It is a serious issue that can quickly become very hard to control.  Students need to be made aware of all the potential dangers before entertaining certain behaviors.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   I am an economics major and the most important thing I learned is that we need to be weary of too much government intervention in the economy.  The government does not always make the soundest decision in regards to the economy.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?  The most influential person in my life must have been my first lacrosse coach.  His name was Chad Morris, when I played for the Laurel Boys & Girls Club.  He really instilled in me most of my lacrosse skills, and really taught me the importance of dedication, which can get you far in life.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  Play as many sports as you can.  It gives you the experience of teamwork and learning to work within a group.  Plus, it provides for many good memories.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  Watching movies are the best because they are a great escape from reality for two hours.  They also are the perfect length for a break from a long day of work.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  The Washington Redskins are my favorite team.  I watch them every football season.  Although they have not been doing so well in recent seasons, I have been a fan since I was a kid.  They used to be a great team with tons of great players.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?  The first person I would want to have dinner with is Arnold Schwarzenegger.  As the Governor of California and one of the most popular action film stars, he would have some amazing stories from his experiences as a politician and actor.  My second choice would be country singer, Alan Jackson.  He is a great artist and I would want to hear the wisdom that he has learned from his many years on tour over a couple drinks.  The third person that I would want to have dinner with is Alexander the Great.  Since I have always had an interest in the military, he would be a good choice as he was an extremely impressive and cunning military tactician.