Time Out with: Tyler Arsenault *Senior *Psychology Major *Captain of the '08 Monks Men's Lacrosse Team

The "Time Out" feature will provide St. Joe's followers with an opportunity to learn more about our athletes and other individuals involved in athletics.

The short interviews will focus on recent events in professional sports or St. Joe's athletics, possibly current issues in the news. No specific format will be followed; we will ask open-ended questions and discover where the conversation takes us from there!

This week we will feature senior Tyler Arsenault, a men's lacrosse team member and Kennebunk, ME native. Arsenault is a Psychology Major and captain of the Monks lacrosse team, which is participating in their first year at the NCAA Division III level.

Contributing writer Pat DeCola conducted the following interview:

Pat DeCola: How’s your final semester going?

Tyler Arsenault: Very well. I’ve been able to focus on lacrosse since my coursework is nearly complete. I’m taking ceramics this semester, which is interesting. I also have an internship over at Spurwink School of Casco.

PD: Oh, that’s great. What do you do there?

TA: Well, it’s a residential high school for people that aren’t able to attend a public school for different reasons or social problems. It’s a place for them to work on their problems while going to school at the same time.

PD: What’s it like being a senior captain on a first year team?

TA: It’s really cool, actually. Until this year I haven’t played on an organized lacrosse team since high school, so it was an honor to be named captain.

PD: Did you do club lacrosse the past few years?

TA: Yeah, but the situation was difficult because there weren’t enough interested or experienced kids to play, which makes this year so awesome. I remember one time last year we had a game at Maine Maritime Academy and we only had 11 kids on the team, when 10 are on the field at one time.

PD: What are some of the other things you do around campus? I know you’re really involved in ultimate frisbee.

TA: Ultimate Frisbee is one of my favorite activities. It’s also a great way to meet new people, which is important on a college campus.

PD: Definitely. Anything else?

TA: Oh yeah, I’m part of the Psych Club too. I’m trying to get some of the better behaved students from Spurwink to visit St. Joe’s. I want to show them what college is like and hopefully inspire them to further their education. I also play a lot of Halo with my friends.

PD: So, I have to ask, do you need a special helmet to fit that hairstyle??

TA: (Laughs) No, but I do have to wear a skull cap, otherwise it all gets in the way.

PD: Do you have any post-grad or summer plans?

TA: I’ve been working at a summer camp for the past six years in Kennebunk and it’s a pretty sweet job, so I think I’m going to work there for one more year before “real work” begins. I’m
also thinking about attending grad school.

PD: Looking at anywhere in particular?

TA: Nowhere in particular yet, but I’m thinking about going over to France or maybe even Canada. I’d like to retire in Maine later in life.

PD: On your website bio you list Kevin Garnett as your favorite athlete. Was this true before he was traded to the Celtics?

TA: I did like him before he got traded. I played power forward when I played basketball in middle and high school and he sets a good example for the kind of player I wanted to be.

PD: What made you decide to come to St. Joe’s?

TA: I applied to only here and U Maine-Orono, but I just loved the campus and the lake so much that this was definitely the place I wanted to be. Whenever I get the chance, spring, summer, or fall I’m always in the lake. I also have the feeling that even if I chose another college at first I would have ended up here in the end.

PD: What do you think of the SJC lacrosse program overall and of Coach Mike Edgar?

TA: I think the program is definitely headed in the right direction and will be even better in the future. And as far as what I think of Coach Edgar, he is so dedicated to the team and committed to doing what’s best for the programs. Within two to three years I really expect this team to be very strong and
competitive. He’s a great guy and an even better coach.

PD: What are your thoughts on how the season has gone so far and your expectations for the rest of this year?

TA: We’re learning to play together and players on the team are improving so much. Winning our first game will be a huge milestone for us. It’s definitely been interesting so far. Playing against USM was a good start for us because we played fairly well, which was a confidence booster. The Salem State game, as one-sided as it was, was also a great learning experience for us to learn how to rebound from a tough loss. Our record isn’t the most important thing for us in the program’s first season. If we don’t end up winning a game then if nothing else we all improved, learned how to play as a team and had fun, which is really what’s important. If I had three more years to play, I would in a heartbeat.

PD: Any advice you’d like to pass on to your teammates for future years?

TA: Hmm. I’d have to say don’t worry about anything that happens and just play the game. Relax, have fun, enjoy it while you’re able to play and make the best of it.

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