Looking back, St. Ed’s graduate Bre’Asia James is mighty thankful that someone had the presence of mind to see her potential – and cared enough to convince her to give the sport of lacrosse a fighting chance.
“All of my coaches and even my parents will tell you that I was forced to play lacrosse,” Bre’Asia revealed. “I absolutely hated the sport, but by the time I reached my sophomore year, my love for it began to grow.
“Then it became my passion. But when I think back to my freshman year, I would never have imagined graduating with a lacrosse scholarship.”
This fall she will proudly grab her gear and head off to Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee to continue a journey that seemed entirely out-of-the-question just a few short years ago. Bre’Asia admitted that an attitude adjustment was needed before her high school sports career could end in storybook fashion.
“I played four years of lacrosse here at St. Edward’s. In my freshman year Coach (Mike) Perez always encouraged me to venture out and explore my capabilities on the field. But at the time I really didn’t want to. So I kind of did my own thing, just going through the motions.”
While she was “going through the motions” as a freshman, somehow she was recognized as the team’s Most Improved Player. Then everything really fell into place as a sophomore.
“Don Balch became the head coach, and he and his wife Trina have been like another set of parents. Their daughter Olivia Blakeman became one of my closest friends. She taught me so much about the sport.”
Olivia and her older sister Maddy were outstanding players for the Pirates. Olivia transferred to Vero Beach High School for her senior year and was a key contributor on another state championship team. This fall the sisters will team-up once again at Loyola University in Maryland.
Don and Trina Balch have done just about everything you can do on a lacrosse field – play, coach, officiate, evaluate talent, and even explain the arcane rules of the girls game to outsiders looking in.
In addition to playing for St. Ed’s, Bre’Asia’s new “set of parents” encouraged her to join a club team – a move generally considered essential in order to climb the competitive ladder.
“They informed me about Lax Maniax and said that I wouldn’t regret playing club lacrosse,” Bre’Asia explained. “So I joined the team and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I made friends for a lifetime and I couldn’t imagine myself not doing that program. It helped me become committed to the sport and it got me out there.”
Bre’Asia made her mark “out there” as a defensive specialist. She was St. Ed’s MVP on defense as a junior and senior. She was named Second Team All-District Defense as a senior.
When college coaches began to take notice, “actually it’s a really complicated story,” she said. “It’s been a long and hard process. I eventually committed to Florida Southern, but then I changed my plans and had to de-commit. I had to start the whole process over again and it was late in the game.”
It was a tip from a good friend that pointed Bre’Asia in the direction of Lincoln Memorial University. A conversation with the lacrosse coach sealed the deal.
“Right off the bat we hit it off. He seemed like the coach that I had been looking for. He told me about the school and it sounded a lot like a college version of St. Edward’s. That appealed to me because I wanted a similar experience in college to the one I had in high school.
“It just felt like this was going to be a perfect fit. It’s not too far from home, but it will give me a little space from my family and friends to help me become an independent person. I haven’t actually stepped foot on campus yet, the first time will be this summer at student orientation. I’ve seen quite a few pictures online and I’m falling in love with the school over the internet.”
Bre’Asia plans to study physical therapy with the goal of someday opening her own practice.
“It hasn’t really hit me yet that I’m leaving. I’ve been with my mom and dad every day, but I believe I’m as ready for college as I can possibly be. St. Edward’s has prepped me as much as possible, so I know I’m ready academically.
“I’m a little scared about being in a new area with new people and seeing how everything is going to tie together. But I also know that my mom is only a phone call away if I need any reassurance about what I’m doing.
“So I feel like I’m ready to see what else is out there in the world for me.”
