FOR THE TIGERS: Jake Coon

Jack and Jay Krzyston talk about being brothers on the same lacrosse team.

In the world of sports, teammates stereotypically form close bonds with each other from hours of practicing and playing numerous games together. In a sense, they become a close-knit family.

An undated photo of Jack Krzyston playing for his lacrosse
team at Bishop Guertin High School.
(personal photo/For the Tigers)

For Jack and Jay Krzyston, two players on the RIT men’s lacrosse team, it’s not a stereotype. Originally from the suburbs of Bedford, N.H., these two brothers came from a family with a lot of love for the game.

Their father, John, used to play lacrosse in college, and they often remember how they went to Syracuse games with him when they were younger.

“Our dad really taught us everything,” said Jack, with his brother nodding his head in agreement.

Their first sport was hockey, another one of RIT’s most popular pastimes. In addition to lacrosse and hockey, they have played baseball, soccer and numerous other sports.

“When we were five, we played hockey and…we’ve always been playing [sports] ever since,” said Jay.

Attending lacrosse camps, such as the New Hampshire Tomahawks, Jack was discovered by RIT lacrosse coaches, who were impressed with him. Lacrosse coach Jake Coon said they recruited him, because Jake was “a good student, a good goal scorer, good shooter and…a leader.”

“Coach [Gene] Peluso was the one who sent me my first letter, but Coach Coon was the one who brought me here,” said Jack, who was named Liberty League’s Offensive Performer of the Week last month and is the team’s top scorer.

A few years later, his brother was recruited as well. Coon remarked how Jay’s physical strength and size; skill set; and overall athleticism played a role in his recruitment.

An undated photo of Jay Krzyston playing for his lacrosse
team at Bishop Guertin High School.
(personal photo/For the Tigers)

The brothers both have good personalities – on and off the field. Jack and Jay have proven themselves to be quiet, hard working, polite and studious players, according to Coon.

“They are both chippy…in that they carry a chip on their shoulder when things don't go their way,” said Coon, referring to the way that they try to constantly improve themselves.

In a way, they realize it too. An older brother first, a teammate second, Jack admits that he pushes his younger brother to do well out on the field.

“I definitely feel like I’m sometimes harder on him – just because I’m his older brother,” said Jack.

When asked if this ever caused a bit of sibling rivalry on the field, Jay says no.

“I don’t think it’s as much as a rivalry, but we definitely do compete against each other,” said the younger Krzyston.

Author: Michael Roppolo

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - In the wake of a rough mid-week loss, the RIT men’s lacrosse team cruised to a 25-15 win over their cross-town rivals Nazareth College on Saturday, March 30. Four RIT players scored a combined 16 goals, with another nine players contributing a single tally.

Coach Coon of the Men's Lacrosse Team
Matthew Pickett

The 25 goals scored against Nazareth is the most that they have ever allowed in a single game and the combined total of 40 goals is most ever in the long-standing RIT vs. Nazareth rivalry.

“It’s bragging rights for the town,” said RIT lacrosse coach Jake Coon. “I think the boys have always fought and clawed in this game...and both teams have been competitive for about 20 years now.”

When he was a student in 1997, Coon led Nazareth to the Division III Lacrosse Championship title. He says that he still has a lot of friends who are part of the Nazareth athletic community and that every rivalry game is bittersweet.

“It brings back a lot of memories every time I step out on to the field against Naz,” Coon said.