Lehigh University Athletics
Suarez leads Lehigh into P.L. championship
4/22/2010 3:56:00 PM | Men's Golf
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - One thing is for sure, no matter if it’s on or off the green senior men’s golfer Steve Suarez is never left unnoticed. Behind his tall thin stature stands a laid back, hardworking guy. As captain of the team, Suarez is notably one of the strongest and most consistent golfers the Brown and White currently has. So good in fact, that Suarez was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year following a top-five performance at the league championship in 2007. On top of that, Suarez is culminating his four years at Lehigh earning a bachelor’s degree in Finance with an impressive 3.56 GPA.
Suarez already has major plans to put his degree to good use after he graduates from Lehigh in May. He will be working for the powerhouse company Citigroup doing investment banking beginning in June.
Till then he plans to continue ‘living ‘the dream’ and playing as much golf as he can fit in. “I’d like to keep playing while I’m working,” said Suarez. Though he does not think he’ll be able to squeeze too many tournaments in this summer, Suarez will be seen swinging away on the green sometime after graduation.
Suarez has worked incredibly hard to keep his mind and body in tip-top-shape to play golf at such a high collegiate level. “When we were in the room he would be doing crunches and leg lifts. He’d always be doing something to stay in shape,” said former roommate and one of Suarez’s fraternity brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha Kyle Fleming ’10. “If he has golf…he has golf. Distractions are completely removed.” As his roommate, Fleming was able to get to know Suarez as much more than just a Lehigh athlete. Fleming was able to discover how Suarez really was as a person.
“He’s a cool kid,” laughed Fleming. And aside from just being another one of the brothers in the Lambda house, Fleming said Suarez was really able to make a name for himself. Fleming mentioned how every guy in the house could recall some memory of their interactions with Suarez. Suarez comes from a fairly conservative household and during the last presidential election he could be heard around the house voicing his thoughts and feelings. As Suarez’s coach Henry D’Alberto would say, “He’s not afraid to speak his mind.”
But when Suarez was not yelling for the Red Sox to lose or cheering on the New York Giants he was typically sought after for help.
“He’s the kind of person that I know if a situation turned bad I could go to him,” said Fleming. “If someone needs help with finance homework, or tips on their backswing, Suarez is always ready to lend a helping hand.” Coach D’Alberto would definitely agree with Fleming’s sentiments. “We have a very small team and I would say Steve does a very nice job helping out everyone.”
D’Alberto mentioned that Suarez’s vocal leadership techniques really help to “keep the team organized.” Suarez checks in to see how players are doing and he makes sure that they are on time for events like workouts or practices. D’Alerbto believes that the younger players really look up to Suarez.
Suarez shoots around a 70 on the golf course. Though he does not believe he has had his best season this year, looking at his stats would suggest that there is more to come. Just last year Suarez shot a 65 at the Lafayette Invitational. Not only was that his lowest score, but he helped the Mountain Hawks reach their history low score in that same tournament. “He’s always been one of our top players; in terms of golf he has a lot of raw natural talent,” D’Alberto explained. “When he’s good, he’s as good as anyone.” With backing like that it is clear to see just how good the chemistry is that Suarez has with his coach.
“I will miss our relationship more than anything. We’ve built a very nice bond over the past four years. He’s a great kid, and I’ve enjoyed coaching him over the years,” said D’Alberto.
There are definitely many aspects of the college golfing scene that Suarez is going to miss. One facet that Suarez is going to miss will be his longtime rivalry with senior Andrew Cohen of Bucknell. Cohen shared the title of Co-Rookie of the Year with Suarez their freshmen years. “He is someone I definitely compare myself to,” said Suarez.
The Mountain Hawk said that he will also miss being on a team. He mentioned that in high school and even professionally, golf tends to be an individual sport. But Suarez said that at Lehigh and in college it’s different.
“You’ll never really have the team aspect after college,” said Suarez.
Suarez and the Mountain Hawks head to Hamilton, New York this weekend for the 2010 Patriot League Championship, held at Seven Oaks Golf Course. The format is a two-day 54-hole tournament with 36 holes of play on Saturday and the final 18 holes scheduled for Sunday. Action gets underway at 8:00 on Saturday morning.
Story written by Dari’ Brooks ‘10
Lehigh - Patriot League Championship Preview
