Senior Spotlight: J.B. Campanella

by: Kaitlyn Ober

When looking at colleges four years ago, J.B. Campanella narrowed his choices to Widener University and Lycoming, but not for lacrosse. Originally, Campanella was searching for a fit on a football team.

“Even though I had grown up playing both sports, football at that time was my main focus,” he said.

Campanella finally chose Lycoming because it was farther away from his home in Lansdale, than Widener, which is in Chester. At Lycoming, Campanella played both sports because football was in the fall and lacrosse was in the spring.

After his first year, however, Campanella realized that his true passion was lacrosse and decided to stick with it instead of playing both.

Campanella started lacrosse when he was eight years old because of the influence of his father, who encouraged him to start playing the sport. His first team was the North Penn Cub Team.

Throughout his years of participating in sports and everyday life, his father has been one of the biggest motivators.

“He always pushes me to be my best and supports me no matter what. He has been a coach and a father, knowing when to be what. He always wants the best for me, too,” Campanella said.

Since his freshman year, Campanella has gotten substantial playing time and been a part of some big wins for the Warriors.

“My freshman year we beat Widener on their turf by one. Since I got to play as a freshman, I felt completely part of the team and the brotherhood that comes along with it. Widener, to this day, is always a big rival but as a freshman I didn’t really understand the rivalry like I do now. Above that, it brought us all together and we were all happy for the win.”

Lacrosse at Lycoming takes up a lot of time. The team has a fall ball season on top of its spring season. And then on top of that, they are in the weight room and playing in scrimmages to better each other and to compete for the starting spots.
“What I love the most about the sport is the ability to take out my frustrations on the field in a competitive way. I have always been a competitive person because of the way I was raised. I live to compete; I always want to beat everyone.”

Campanella is a defenseman for the Warriors, along with teammates Matt Siracusa, Vic Marchetti and goalie, Al Antinarelli.

Throughout the four years, Campanella has made great friends from the teammates he has played with on the field.

“One of my favorite times spent here at Lycoming was the day before last year’s graduation. I was really close with most of the guys who graduated, so to be able to hang out one last time on campus together was definitely a memory that I’ll always remember.”

Along with making lifelong friends, lacrosse has taught Campanella more things about every day life.

“I have learned to persevere. This comes true especially when we play better teams because I know I have to play to the best of my ability when we’re down. This can relate to life outside of lacrosse too, understanding that not every day is going to be a good day, but you need to stick it out because tomorrow will be better.”

Campanella is a marketing major who has been fortunate enough to already have had two interviews with the software company, SAP America in Bromall.

“I have an opportunity to be a salesman for the SAP America. I really want to do that but I know that I can’t set my sights on just one opportunity.”