"I’ve had three great influences in my lacrosse career: BartbrSullivan, Nick Bumpass, and Delano Cairnero," he said.
"Coach Sullivan introduced me to abrway of playing the sport of lacrosse that is revolutionary and different frombrthe traditional ways of approaching the sport. He also introduced me to thebrmental side of the game and focused on mental toughness on the field and offbrthe field as well.
"Coach Bumpass was the coach who always focused on the typebrof man that I was becoming as I progressed in my high school career. He is abrclass act and someone I hope to emulate when I am older.
"Coach Delano was mybrconditioning coach throughout high school and I still condition and lift withbrhim in the off season and during my time at home in the summer. He is a greatbrbuddy of mine and someone who pushes me in the weight room and expects abr'beast' sort of mentality when it comes to playing lacrosse. I love all threebrof these gentlemen and can’t wait to reconnect with each of them when I returnbrfor the summer. I owe all that I have accomplished to the three of them."
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound midfielder chose Siena because of the chance to win multiple MAAC titles and hopes for a run at the NCAA championship before his time is up. Majoring in finance, Cox is also looking into pre-law in order to possibly follow into his father Kevin's footsteps.
Growing up in Southlake, Cox achieved a lot of milestones, including (as listed on Siena's website):
- U19 U.S. Junior Lacrosse Team selection competed at the U19 Indoor Challenge at Six Nations in Ontario
- Twice named to Texas Lacrosse Magazine's Top Midfielders List
- Amassed 23 goals and six assists and added 35 groundballs his senior year in being named a North District Honorable Mention selection
- Captained 2015 Southlake Carroll squad which won the Bob Patterson Trophy (Best High School Lacrosse team in Texas)
- Tabbed a 2015 Inside Lacrosse Texas Boys Invitational All-Tournament Team selection
- 2013 Adrenaline High Rollers All-Star
- Played select lacrosse for Blackwolf in Washington, D.C. and Texas United
He said he's adjusted well thus far on the field and has realized a newfound love of the game at a much faster pace.
"Freshman year has been very exciting," he said. "It is a huge transitionbrfrom high school, but overall I have enjoyed my year. I have seen action in abrhandful of games and with the season drawing to a close I hope to appear morebron the field in the coming games."
New York is different from Southlake, he said, in the sense of the climate (it's cloudier and colder), and the food (the subs are good, but he misses the Mexican food); however, most of all, Cox is still looking for that "uber-competitive" edge the city taught him growing up.
A Dragon since kindergarten, Cox felt the camaraderie of being apart of the community in Southlake, and felt that everyone pushes each other to be their best in their respective discipline.
"The atmosphere ofbrSouthlake was super competitive in the classroom and on the field and it forcedbrme to demand the most out of myself and strive to be better than I evenbrimagined that I could be," Cox said. "I still bleed green and will always be a CarrollbrDragon at heart."
He concluded with a bit of advice for anyone growing up in Southlake and looking to get to the next level someday.
"I would like to say to all the aspiring Division 1brlacrosse players out there just this one thing," he said. "If a kid from Texas who firstbrpicked up a stick in 5th grade can become a Division 1 lacrossebrplayer after growing up only playing baseball and football, then you can do thebrsame and accomplish so much more than you thought you could.
"Keep your headbrdown and work your tail off. Be the biggest hustler in practice and work tobrimprove your game every second you can. If you can’t find the time, then makebrthe time. Love this game and it will love you back … that I can guarantee you."
Images and video courtesy of Siena College Athletics.