Staff photo by JAMES A. McCRAY III St. Mary's Ryken High School graduate Joe Joe Joseph will play college lacrosse at York College of Pennsylvania. In the front row, from left, are Beth Joseph, Joe Joe's mother, Joe Joe Joseph and Joseph Joseph, Joe Joe's father. Standing are Ryken assistant boys lacrosse coach Chris Perkinson, left, and head boys lacrosse coach John Sothoron.

More News

Charles County Assistant Sheriff Gibson suspended after domestic violence complaint

Waldorf woman dead after fight with neighbor

Waldorf elementary school earns National School of Character award

Crime Solvers offers reward for IDs of Bryans Road robbery suspects

Charles man gets 18 months for fatal wreck

Ryken’s Joseph to play college lacrosse at York College (Pa.)

By JAMES A. McCRAY III

Staff writerJoseph Wesley Joseph.

Maybe few people outside of his close circle of friends know that’s the official government name of the recent St. Mary’s Ryken High School graduate and boys lacrosse player.

Few know the government name because he goes by Joe Joe, so much so that Joe Joe is the official name on the Ryken roster, but ask Joseph and he likes it that way.

“Yeah, definitely it’s a distinction because I am the only one I’ve ever met with a name like that,” Joseph said. “I like it. It’s kind of unique.”

Joseph said the names run in the family evidenced by his father’s name, Joseph George Joseph, and great uncle named Joseph John Joseph. He also said that he had another uncle named George George.

But whether it is Joe Joe Joseph or Joseph Joseph who shows up on the York College of Pennsylvania men’s lacrosse team next spring, Joseph is just happy that his name will be on a collegiate roster come next season.

“I am extremely excited and I am glad to see my hard work finally paid off,” Joseph said.

Joseph took two visits to the Pennsylvania campus, his first coming in September and the second in January. And once he got a feel for the campus, he realized that is where he wants to be.

“I liked it and it was only 4,000 people and that kind of reminded me of St. Mary’s County in a way,” Joseph said. “It felt like a home away from home.”

A thumb injury kept Joseph off the field during a recruits scrimmage game during his first York visit, but the Ryken graduate was able to walk around and get a feel for the campus with York assistant coach Michael Hofmeister. Hofmeister was able to deliver the rundown about the lacrosse program to Joseph, including practice times and habits, weightlifting routines and so forth.

Playing under Ryken head boys lacrosse coach John Sothoron for four years, Joseph admitted that he is looking forward to experiencing what life as a lacrosse player is like under a different voice.

“The coaching and being coached from a different style,” Joseph said of what he is looking forward to. “I have been playing for coach John the past years, so I am wondering what this new [coach] is going to be like. Either way, I know that coach John has prepared me well.”

Other than a coaching adjustment, Joseph understands that he will be in for a much different transition on the field and said that the college players will “definitely be bigger and stronger and faster.”

“I have to work hard over the summer,” Joseph added.

Joseph is one of seven Ryken players to commit to play in college. Coming from a winning program such as Ryken, Joseph said he expects a lot from himself and his teammates as everyone takes the next step.

“I expect to get bigger and stronger and to get myself ready for college lacrosse,” Joseph said of his near future. “I am ready to be a college-level student and have fun at my home away from home.”

jmccray@somdnews.com