Senior Celebration Series: Men's Lacrosse

At Rensselaer, we are proud to recognize the student-athletes who are members of the Class of 2021. We thank them for their hard work, dedication and tremendous efforts in representing the Institute in a first-class manner academically and athletically. We wish them well in all their future endeavors. 

CHRIS ABBATE

North Port, New York | Civil Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Traveling as a team to Florida during spring break freshman year.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: It's people and long, impressive history of innovation.

Post-Graduation Plans: Following graduation I will be starting as a Field Engineer at Hensel Phelps in Washington, D.C.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• It was great to see him grow as a player over each season. Chris is a cool dude on and off the field. He's a smart kid and a hard worker. He's always willing to help out others whether its lacrosse, school or job stuff. He has a great job lined up and I can't wait to see where his career takes him.
• Chris is an extremely humble worker who has found much success on the lacrosse field and in his academic studies during his time at RPI, and he will continue to find success in his professional career as a civil engineer following graduation.
• Chris is always looking to help out his teammates in any way he can.
• Always in a great mood and works hard academically and in athletics. A great example-setter for the younger generations.
• From a coach: The development and growth Chris showed as a player, person and leader over his career was tremendous. The four tenants of an RPI Lacrosse player are: A Passion to Be Great, Make Yourself Better Today, Prepare to Win Each & Every Day and Honor our Championship History by Giving Your Best Every Day. Chris is a true representation of our program’s tenants.

RYAN ALBRECHT

Hampstead, New Hampshire | Materials Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Going toe to toe with #3 Williams in Spring 2020. 

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: Everyone makes RPI a special place. I have met countless individuals who will be my friends for a lifetime.

Post-Graduation Plans: Getting a Master's in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. 

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Ryan was a great leader, quiet but effective. It sucks that he missed a lot of time with shoulder injuries, but when he was on the field he threw some tough checks. Great guy off the field, he's bad at video games. I can't wait to see where his career takes him.
• Ryan is a highly motivated and dedicated friend.
• Albrecht is the kind of guy you want to go to war with. He brings the fire each and every day and loves to compete, which is something I love about him. I feel bad for the poor guys he'll be playing in men's league for years to come.
• Thank you for all the laughs and your shared wisdom.
• From the moment he stepped on campus, until now, Ryan has been one of the most genuine people I have ever met. His commitment to his family, academics and our team is unmatched. He has always led by example, and is someone who everyone can learn from. His grit and dedication are indicative of what a real man should have, which is hard to come by these days. I am sure his leadership will be felt by his colleagues for years to come.
• From a coach: Ryan is one of the toughest and most resilient young men in our program. He has played through countless injuries, sacrificing his body for the team and his teammates. Not more than two days after a serious surgery during his career and still in tremendous pain, Ryan insisted on being on the sideline to support his teammates. His grit, determination and sheer will to get the job done and to be there for his teammates was inspiring for anyone fortunate enough to play with him.

JASON BRAM

Reading, Pennsylvania | Business and Management

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Ithaca 2018.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The saving grace of RPI will always lie within the faculty. From the coaches to the professors, and everyone in-between, the faculty are the ones who make up for the administration.

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be attending Columbia University for a Master's in Applied Mathematics, and I will be joining The Morgan Reed Group as a Quantitative Trading Intern.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Bram is one of the most down to Earth people I know. He's so explosive on the field, it still confuses me to this day how he's able to do some of the stuff he does. I feel like I could always go and talk to Bram about anything and he'd be able to keep the conversation going.
• Bram has the ability to break any given defenders ankles each dodge with his shiftiness, combined with his explosiveness. Bram is one of the most positive guys I've ever met no matter the situation and he has the ability to have it resonate with the rest of the team. He will be missed.
• Thanks for all of the laughs and the good times. You were part of the glue that kept our team together and always had a smile on your face.
• Very talented player and always keeps the mood light at practice.
• Bram is pretty much the definition of fun. I don't think it's possible to find someone more fun to hang out with. On and off the field, he's the one you want to be around.
• He is one of the best people to be around on and off the field. Great person to talk to about anything at any time.
• From a coach: Jason has demonstrated a passion for helping others and serving those around him. His name is one that I have heard very frequently, unprovoked, from his teammates as someone who has gone out of his way to help them academically, personally or athletically. His selflessness and willingness to give time to others is to be commended. One of our program pillars is Brotherhood and Jason has done a tremendous job creating and enhancing a sense of togetherness that was pivotal for our program during the pandemic.

CHRIS CALICCHIA

Loudonville, New York | Mechanical Engineering 

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Winning my first game playing against Skidmore.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The connections this school provides you with to succeed in the future.

Post-Graduation Plans: Working for Judlau Contracting in NYC.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• I was so impressed this season with the amount of improvement Chris made from last season to this year. Chris is a great dude to hang out with outside of lacrosse. He's very down to Earth and I enjoyed my time with him on and off the field.
• From a coach: What a transformation Chris made from his junior to senior year! Transferring to RPI as a junior, he was the last person to make the team and by most accounts struggled to compete. But after his first season on the team, Chris went to work and when we got back out on the field not only was he playing like he belonged, but he earned a starting role and excelled. I am not sure I have seen a player make such a big leap in a year’s time and it is all that more impressive under the circumstances of this past year.

RYAN COLE

Medina, Ohio | Biomedical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Going to Union and beating up on them freshman year was a great time.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The friends I've made in my four years.

Post-Graduation Plans: I'm either going to work as a clinical rep for Boston Scientific, or going to graduate school at Cleveland State University to get a Master's and possibly continue my lacrosse career.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Ryan is a great motivator and leader within athletics and academics who has gained much respect from his classmates and coaches while being a student-athlete. I will always remember him as the guy who always had a smile on his face.
• Ryan is one of the most passionate people I have ever met. When he sets his sights on something, he is sure to follow through. With his pursuits, he does not push people to the ground but brings them with him. His ability to lift people up will be missed as will his infectious love for the game.
• A very determined hard worker who always knows how to lighten the mood. Very motivated on and off the field with great leadership skills that will develop into his future, whatever that may be. One of the most organized individuals I have ever met.
• Always gave the team energy. Played 100% every time he was on the field.
• Great player and great competitor.
• Ryan treated me like a little brother since I arrived to campus, taking me skiing and spending time messing around together.
• Ryan is as dedicated to his sport as anyone I’ve met. Every day he brings a ‘get stuff done’ attitude to whatever he has to do. He is consistent, assertive, and a great leader.
• A very motivated guy who is always looking to have a good time.
• Hard worker and had a great attitude. Always shooting jokes or sending memes.
• From a coach: Ryan’s work ethic was second to none. He was always putting in extra time in the weight room, on the wall, shooting or watching film. He put his heart and soul into the team and made himself better every day. Ryan never backed down from a challenge and was the fiercest of competitors. 

NICHOLAS COLUCCI

Churchville, New York | Aeronautical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Beating Clarkson with a last second goal in the first round of the Liberty League Tournament. 

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The opportunity and the connections. Rather it is the life-long connections you make with your teammates or the connections in the alumni network. RPI provides a unique and special opportunity. 

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be commissioning as an officer in the Army.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• He is a very hard worker who is a good example-setter for others. He handles situations with great thoughts and intentions.
• Great leader for both the lacrosse team and in ROTC.
• Fast, very very fast. Respect the Troops.
• Very hard worker with great dedication to the sport. I appreciate his commitment to ROTC as well as lacrosse.
• A great positive leader and super smart lacrosse player. He's also almost as good as me at golf.
• Colucci has been a key for the offense since I've been here and he's never shy about sharing his insights and helping everyone out.
• Nick has been a great teammate, a great classmate and an even better friend during my time as an RPI student and member of the team.
• From a coach: We define leadership’s purpose as accomplishing the mission and serving your teammates. Nick Colucci is extremely dedicated to his teammates. He is always talking to and helping guys on the sidelines during practice and games in an effort to make them better players...giving pointers, explaining an offensive read or reminding them to be situationally aware. He is also the first guy in the office at the beginning of the year or the one pulling me aside before practice to present and discuss an idea or perspective about schematics. It is one of the many reasons he is a captain. He understands the vision and can see the big picture.

NICK DEOLIVEIRA

Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey | Mechanical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Freshman year Spring Break and when we beat Clarkson on a last second goal in the Liberty League playoffs.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: RPI is such a tight-knit community. I've made friendships and connections that I will have for the rest of my life. RPI, the men's lacrosse team and Coach Dags helped me grow as a person and have taught me valuable life lessons to help me succeed in the future. 

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be working for National Grid as an Assistant Associate Engineer in Gas Planning & Design. 

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Nicky D is a great guy.
• Overcame adversity and injury and came up big in some big moments.
• One of the most energized people I have ever met. Always prepared and always ready for any situation that is thrown his way.
• He was a leader by example and was always passing on his knowledge to the younger guys.
• From a coach: Dedication is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Nicky D! He has battled serious injuries, ups and downs in performances and other setbacks, but through it all he has stayed dedicated. He has humbly attacked his role and constantly worked to improve. One of our Core Beliefs is Competitive Excellence which we define as always Leveling Up to drive us to be the best possible version of ourselves. There is no finer representation of this than Nick!

BRIAN DOUGHTY

Glenelg, Maryland | Industrial and Management Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Being able to play Skidmore this year at home after 423 days.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The people and connections you make here will last a long time.

Post-Graduation Plans: Junior Industrial Engineer at Almo Corporation in Philadelphia.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• One of the best leaders I've played for. His great attitude and positive personality is contagious. He always keeps others accountable. I'll never understand how he just soaks lacrosse balls and gets covered in welts. He still can't save my scout man-up low to low shot.
• Brian is a guy you just want to hang out with. He has been a great teammate and friend. Wouldn't want anyone else in the net the last few years.
• Doughty is always there for a good laugh, but always knows how to focus and really bring together all the fellas.
• Fun teammate to play with, always has a witty comment.
• Brian is a guy that is impossible not to like. He is a hard worker, always has a positive attitude and has even been known to crack a joke here or there. I cannot say enough about how much of an impact he has had on our team. From making game-winning saves to helping cook dinner for our team, Doughty has been a vital leader on the RPI Men's Lacrosse team.
• Great leader, loved having him in goal.
• Thank you for everything Doughty. You made everyone around you a better player and you were always someone who we trusted leading us. An absolute brick wall behind our defense! You were a great leader and friend. Thank you for all of the good times and amazing saves!
• A very caring individual who is always taking care of others before himself. Dedicated and ready for any situations.
• Doughty plays with the kind of passion you dream every one of your goalies to play with. He commands the defense along with the whole team with his words. Off the field, he is one of the funniest guys on the team who is able to develop a relationship with each and every person.
• From a coach: Brian was a tremendous leader for our team. His balance of competitive ferocity and intensity coupled with his fun-loving nature gave his teammates a sense of calm and confidence. His willingness to be fiery and hold others accountable by calling his teammates out in the moment or motivating them with competitive banter garnered respect from all. Equally so did his ability to relax or refocus a teammate with a witty comment, funny joke or words of encouragement.

ROBBY GALE

Lakeville, Minnesota | Biological Neuroscience

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: My personal favorite athletic memory is honestly after any win while playing at ECAV. There is no specific game that I remember, but just being around the team is the best. 

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: It is the best place to both participate in athletics and get a grade-A education.  

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Robby has always been a great friend to me. He was instrumental in making RPI the right place for me and I could not ask for a better teammate.
• Robby is one of the most motivated and hard working people I know, and I will always be grateful to have had him as both a teammate and friend during my time at RPI.
• Extremely hard worker on and off the field. Great person to talk to about anything, whether it be lacrosse, sports or life in general. Rob took the pre-med track and I'm so impressed that he was able to manage a difficult major and lacrosse at the same time. I'm hoping to see Dr. Rob some day.
• One of the most driven kids I've ever met. He is a great competitor but always there for a good laugh.
• Great player, super athletic and a great leader.
• Robby has grit that is shown not just on the field but in every relationship he has. In lacrosse, he is almost always first to a ground ball, and if he isn't, it will inevitably come up in his stick. As a friend, he cares nothing more than to make a positive difference in the lives of others. This is shown not through talk but always through action, which is why he is so successful and is an esteemed friend of mine.
• From a coach: Robby might have had one of the most difficult senior seasons I can think of. By going remote just days before it was decided we could compete it removed any chance of him playing his senior year. Many would have been bitter, angry and disengaged, but not Robby. His selflessness, team-first mentality and resilience wrote a very different story. No one would have faulted him for bowing out, but instead he stepped up, served his teammates and led the way preparing scouting reports, breaking down film and doing stats on practice film. Our success on the field was directly tied to his leadership and the work he put in to help us be able to compete. He is a tremendous leader of character that set a brilliant example for others.  

TYLER HANCOCK

Eagle, Colorado | Environmental Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: My favorite memory is playing Ithaca my freshman year. They were ranked in the top 10 in the nation, and we were set to play them at home with only 25 men on the roster. No one expected us to win except ourselves. As the fourth quarter winded down, the score was 16-7 in favor of RPI. 

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: Rensselaer is a special place to me because of the people it attracts. Without coming to RPI, I would never have developed the life-long friendships and new perspectives that this school has given me. 

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Ler is a great dude. Gives great advice and will tell you as it is. Such a hard worker and has persevered through a major injury. Much respect for him; I'm honored to be his teammate.
• Ler is a super driven kid. He dedicates a lot of time to his craft, but always finds ways to check in with his friends and family, which I always saw as a great quality in him. He also can do cork 7 on skis, which is pretty cool.
• He was one of the greatest teachers I’ve had, not only on the lacrosse field but in life.
• From a coach: Tyler is a young man who has shown tremendous dedication to his craft and willingness to serve his teammates. He has been another coach on the field. He has left a legacy and model of how to teach and mentor younger players in the program for the greater good. Tyler is a boat that rises all tides. We are grateful for his service and sacrifice to the program.

WILL HATCHER

Danbury, Connecticut | Mechanical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Traveling with the team to Florida freshman year.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The people who work in the athletic department are always very nice, friendly and cheery. It's like one big family.

Post-Graduation Plans: Working as a Mechanical Engineer at OLA Consulting Engineers in Hawthorne, N.Y.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Will is one of the nicest guys I know. He is always looking to help someone.
• Really nice guy who always made me feel included.
• Great leader, always stays calm under pressure.
• Great communicator and leader. Although he is large, he is a very friendly guy.
• Will is one of the best leaders I’ve seen here at RPI. He will be the first person to put his head down and work towards his goals, asking for no favors or praise. But he will also constantly open himself up to others as a mentor and source of support. He is the definition of a team player, thinking of the good of the program over himself, and will always do what he can to make his teammates look good. He is a quiet and humble worker, as well as a consistent leader who represents the core values of the RPI men’s lacrosse program. Anybody who gets to work with him and know him in the years following graduation is lucky to have him around.
• Will is a teammate who will drop what he is doing to help others.
• Hatch is a great guy who has a connection with every guy on the team. He's someone you can go to if you have any questions and will always keep you accountable!
• Hatch, thanks for all of the good times and friendly banter on and off the field. You were a leader and someone who we could always count on.
• Hatch was one of the first guys in the class above me who I seemed to connect with. He has been a great teammate and friend.
• From my time playing alongside Will, I will always remember him for supporting his teammates and friends in all situations. He is a motivated worker, exceptional leader and a great friend who will thrive in the engineering industry.
• Great leader, always puts the team first.
• From a coach: Will has grown exponentially as a leader and player. Although a few years ago I wouldn’t have thought he would be a captain, he showed initiative and expressed a desire to lead the team even as a sophomore. With intentional work he earned the respect of his peers and grew his leadership skills to earn the honor of captain as a senior. As a player Will took steps forward every year on the field. Although stats are far from everything they are the outcome that demonstrates his steady growth and progress from playing very little as a freshman to averaging a point/game as a sophomore, then two points/game his junior year and three as a senior.   

ZACH LIMA

Chatham, New Jersey | Mechanical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: During my career as a member of the RPI lacrosse team, my favorite memory was when I scored my first career goal in a Liberty League game against Skidmore College during my sophomore season. As a defenseman, I rarely get the opportunity to score goals, and it was exhilarating to score one of the first goals of the game and see my teammates just as happy in the moment as I was.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: What makes being a part of the RPI Athletics community so special is the sense of camaraderie amongst all the student-athletes on the different sports teams. I will cherish the memories I made not only with my teammates but also with students on other RPI sports teams. This school gave me a seemingly endless number of meaningful relationships with my fellow students, coaches and professors, which I hope to maintain following graduation and as I begin my career as a professional engineer.

Post-Graduation Plans: Following graduation, I will be attending the University of California, Berkeley to study in the the Master of Engineering (MEng) degree program with a concentration in Product Design offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. As a student and potential researcher, I will seek to apply my mechanical engineering background to the design of medical devices in order to advance healthcare and improve people's lives.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• One of the most dedicated people I have ever gotten to know. Whatever it might be from athletics to academics he is going to be prepared and make sure he is ready to do his absolute best through hard work and staying dedicated.
• Lima is always willing to help others on and off the field. I had the privilege to volunteer with him at different community service events and he always puts others first. He also had a great attention to detail on the field and with film.
• Great player with a huge love for the game
• He is a super dedicated person; whatever he starts, he'll put full effort into finishing.
• Thanks for all of your wisdom this year and always making sure we were all on the same page.
• From a coach: Zach has been a great leader for our team by connecting us to and serving the broader community. He has organized, led and participated in countless community service efforts. Servant leadership was well exemplified on the field as well by him taking on a completely new role and position for his senior year. Legacy of service and giving back are well entrenched in our team culture because of his efforts. 

TIM OSLISLO

Arnold, Maryland | Mechanical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Scoring a goal against Babson.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The people. I have met my best friends here and have found so many people dedicated to helping me succeed both academically and athletically. 

Post-Graduation Plans: Moving to Madison, Wisconsin to work as a Technical Solutions Engineer for Epic.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Tim always has a smile on his face and could lighten anybody's mood in a second. A great guy to be around and a good friend.
• Thanks for all of the good times!
• A very organized individual who is always on top of his work and always prepared for any situation. 
• Always puts a smile on your face and has a great positive attitude.
• Always fun to hangout with off the field and was a great classmate. Tim is sneaky athletic and is a very smart kid. I never understood how Tim dodges because he's duck-footed but he makes it work. He's a cool dude and I'm excited to see where his career takes him. 
• Ever since I was partnered with Tim in a freshman year athletics competition at RPI, I have come to know him as an energetic and one-of-a-kind teammate and friend. He has always been helpful in the classroom and supportive on the lacrosse field, and he will undoubtedly find success as a professional engineer for Epic Systems following graduation.
• From a coach: One of our program pillars is service and Tim is a great representation of just that. At times during practice as a junior we did not have enough lefty attackmen. A midfielder, Tim selflessly volunteered himself to fill the void. Little did we know the team would need him to not only play attack in practice his senior year, but in games. Tim embraced the change on the fly and excelled having his best year on the field. He is a first-class representation of what a team-first mentality looks like!

KYLE PELCHER

Baldwinsville, New York | Chemical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Beating Ithaca freshman year.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The great friendships formed with teammates.

Post-Graduation Plans: Working in New York City for Trane as a Sales Engineer.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Soft spoken but a great leader. He works hard and loves the game of lacrosse. One of the most fundamental defensemen I've ever played with.
• Kyle is very smart. He knows a lot about chemical engineering.
• When I was driving to the airport and a tire popped on the car, I thought I would miss my flight. But as soon as I asked the team chat if anyone could help, Kyle said he was on the way. He came and picked me up within 15 minutes of my text. Kyle genuinely cared about the well-being of his teammates.
• From my time at RPI, I have come to know Kyle as a motivated and accountable leader who is always looking for ways to make others around him better, whether that be in athletics or in academics. Following graduation, I know Kyle will find great success working in the engineering industry while seeking to improve the companies he goes on to work for.
• Leader by example. Excellent student-athlete.
• Pelcher has really grown as a leader since I've gotten here. I don't play defense but he is very sharp in knowing what to do and explaining that to underclassmen who are still learning. He was also a great defender and always a challenge to go up against.
• Thank you for all of your shared wisdom and being a role model on this team.
• Leader by example.
• A great leader who is very dedicated to his craft. He also can shred the guitar and loves Weezer.
• From a coach: Kyle was one of the most consistent competitors, day in and day out. He always brought great preparation, focus and dedication to the playing field. This was evident throughout Kyle’s career as he started as a freshman, but not as a sophomore. He never wavered or back downed throughout the ups and downs. He earned a starting role again as a junior and ultimately became a captain his senior year. An awesome story of mental toughness, work ethic and dedication!

CONNOR SCHNAPP

Lake Oswego, Oregon | Chemical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Beating Clarkson at the last second in playoffs in 2019. Having the best game of our class's career at Williams last year even though we knew that it might be the end of the season. Football beating Union at Union in 2017. Spring Break trip to Florida in 2018.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The strong athletics community within the school. Everyone on all teams is friendly with everyone else and there is a mutual respect between all athletes, coaches and staff.

Post-Graduation Plans: Working at Bristol Meyers Squibb in Summit, N.J.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Connor is a really fun individual. He is always down to go out and do something.
• Such a cool and down to Earth person. Hard worker on and off the field. He always has jokes and a positive attitude. I'm going to miss sharing the field and weight room with him.
• One of the greatest people I have come to know. Hard working and passionate.
• Connor is a hard worker who will do whatever he can to develop his skills and help the team.
• He really made all the freshmen feel welcome during such a weird time. Also, he is electric with the guitar in his hands.
• From a coach: Connor always brought dogged passion, one of our core beliefs, to the field, weight room and locker room every day. He played with tremendous joy, energy and positive spirit. Furthermore, he always enthusiastically supported his teammates when they made plays or offered words of encouragement when they didn’t. Great teams have players who are great teammates and Connor was just that.

Attention Rensselaer student-athletes, coaches & staff: Should you wish to add any information or provide comments, please click HERE and submit the form.

as of May 20, 2021