Lehigh University Athletics
Schram shines both on and off the field
11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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Story written by Eric Feather ‘10
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The challenges and time commitment of college athletics force athletes to center their attention on being a student and collegiate athlete. Lehigh men’s soccer senior midfielder Jesse Schram has taken on the challenge of both roles, while maintaining an outstanding academic record.
All throughout his career, Jesse has been a steady contributor to the team, but his emergence has come during the 2009 season. He has played in all 16 games; scoring two goals, two assists and totaling six points. Off the field in 2009, Jesse has continued to thrive in the classroom after receiving the Lehigh Scholar-Athlete of the Year award for his cumulative GPA of 3.68.
“My senior season has gone well. I would have hoped to have a better record, but I’m having a lot of fun and this is probably the closest team I’ve been apart of on and off the field, which makes it a lot better,” said Schram.
Initially, Lehigh wasn’t on Schram’s radar for college choices. “I actually didn’t hear about Lehigh until the coach contacted me. I decided to take a visit, took an official, and as soon as I was done I knew that Lehigh would be a good fit,” said Schram.
Jesse grew up in Durham, New Hampshire, and was encouraged to play soccer all through his youth by his older brother. “My older brother pushed me a lot and he is definitely a role model for me,” said Schram. Through all of Jesse’s achievements and awards during his elementary, middle and high school years, he insists that one of his most cherished experiences was at the age of eight. According to Schram, “one of my most memorable experiences in terms of soccer was playing and living in Brazil for a few months when I was eight years old.”
Schram, like most collegiate athletes, admits that balancing academics and sports is not an easy adjustment upon entering college. “At first it was tough to balance academics and athletics, but it gets easier each year. In season I usually find that I am more motivated to do work because I have a set schedule with practices and I already have the mentality that I need to get things done,” said Schram. According to Jesse, “Lehigh is a great school, and I have been fortunate to be a part of the soccer program here. Soccer is certainly a big time-commitment, but it has been my favorite part of college. I am definitely going to miss my teammates and the competitive atmosphere of college soccer,” said Schram.
One of Jesse’s many supporters includes current Lehigh head coach Dean Koski. Coach Koski has witnessed the growth and maturation of Jesse as a player and person both on and off the field. According to Koski, “Jesse is one of the nicest young men you could ever meet. Respectful, thoughtful, well mannered and personable. He is one of our best students on the team and was awarded the Lehigh Scholar-Athlete of the Year award from our program. He is very conscientious as a student and is a terrific role model for the younger players. As a player, no one works harder over the course of a practice or game.”
Jesse has been recognized not only by his coach, but also his teammates as a role model for younger players on the field and in the classroom with his hard work and dedication. “As far as setting a good example, it is just important to come out each day and train like it's a Patriot League game. That will make the players around you better and set the standard for the real games,” said Schram.
On the field, Koski has seen Schram grow as a player and contribute to the team’s success even though the statistics sheet doesn’t always appear that way. “Jesse is one of the most unheralded players in the league, perhaps because he doesn't always show up on the stat sheets, but every player and coach on this team knows he is our engine and the most important player to connect our backs to our forwards,” said Koski.
Schram’s statistical increase in 2009 reflects the commitment and dedication necessary to improve while playing at the Division I level. Jesse started soccer at a very young age, but his love and competitive nature for the game is just as high as when he was a youngster. “I love the competitiveness of the game and how dynamic it is. You can step out on the same field with the same guys and it will always be a different game,” said Schram.
College athletics generate memories that will last forever. The Lehigh men’s soccer trip to Italy over the summer of 2009 proved no different as it brought the team closer together. “The Italy trip was an unbelievable experience, it not only gave us a good chance to take in a new country, but it also gave us a good opportunity to come together as a team and really get to know each other.”
Jesse’s outstanding academic record has stemmed from his interest in psychology, his favorite classes being sports and abnormal psychology. “I am hoping to go to graduate school sometime after college; I was greatly inspired to pursue psychology after taking sports and abnormal psychology with Dr. Birky, and Professor Lomauro. They are both great teachers,” according to Schram.
Schram’s pursuit of a career in Psychology doesn’t mean he plans on hanging the cleats up forever. “I wouldn’t mind doing some playing, coaching and traveling before I move on towards a different career.”
Schram and his teammates will close out the regular season Friday night on the road against first-place Bucknell at 7 p.m. Here is what Koski had to say about the Bison:
“They’re clearly having a good year and with going down there we know they have a lot to play for. It’s their senior night and they’re looking to host the Patriot League Tournament. We’re going to do all that we can to match or succeed them on the road.”
Koski continued on containing Patriot League leading scorer Conor O’Brien and the Bucnkell offense, “The most important thing is to defend well as a team. Conor is having an exceptional year and we must be aware of him, but they also have exceptional players around him. As an attacking team they’re the best in the league.”
The Mountain Hawks have gained some momentum in the previous weeks, but Koski isn’t concerned with that. “Our streak isn’t as important as our preparation. Practice has been well and this is a tough stretch for the players with 4 o’clock exams. They’re mentally tired, but we have one more day to train well and we will head out there tomorrow ready to compete.”
