Lacrosse teaches us that everyone has something to contribute, regardless of size or appearance.
So, when freshman midfielder Dean Cuneo said he liked lacrosse because “everyone has a spot” and that his animal was a bat 🦇, we knew we had to share the story of the first lacrosse game ever played: birds vs. the land animals.
As the legend goes, the two sides were picking teams when a bat asked if he could play. The team captains for the land animals said he was too small and had wings. So the bat went to the birds and asked them. The bird captains — Eagle, Owl, and Hawk — were skeptical at first, but the bat was determined.
“I’m ready to go. I’ll play hard,” the bat said, as shared by Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan and lacrosse living legend Oren Lyons.
Eventually, the birds OK’d it, and the game began. The game went all day, an epic back-and-forth struggle, but as the sun set, in the dim light of dusk, the bat scored the winning goal.
As Oren Lyons says: “Never judge a player by the way they look. You just don’t know.”
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Name: Dean Cuneo
Year: Freshman
Position: Middie
Major: Wildlife
Did you play in high school? No
Personality Profile
What is your main motivation for playing?
To get better at the sport and help my team.
What would a successful season of lacrosse be for you?
Having fun and improving my skills
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to backpack, play the saxophone, and play badminton.
If you could have lunch with any person, who would it be and why?
My girlfriend because I miss her.
What do you enjoy most about lacrosse?
Anyone can play. It doesn’t matter if you’re 5’6″ or 6’5″ — everyone has a spot.
Rapid Fire Quiz
What are you listening to? 🎶
Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood
My favorite show is… 📺
Yellowstone
My favorite ice cream is… 🍦
Vanilla & Mint Chip
Pizza toppings (top 3) 🍕
Pepperoni, Margherita, Sausage
What era would you time travel to? ⏳
1950s
What makes you happiest? 😋
My girlfriend and my dog
If you were an app, you’d be… 📲
Goodreads
If I were a candy bar, I’d be…🍫
Reese’s Fast Break
If you were a celebrity, you’d be… 😎
Tom Holland
If you were an animal, you’d be… 🐾
A little brown bat