We continue our celebration of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lacrosse seniors with a chat with defenseman Jacob Kanak!
World events kept us from the chance to follow this team on its journey to a national championship, so ND-Atl 2.0 (today with help from 18 Stripes original writer Whiskey) will instead use the time he would have spent writing previews and recaps to catch up with as many of the Irish seniors as he can to introduce them in new ways to their fans. We hope you enjoy our talk with Jacob!
Jacob Kanak
#32 Jacob Kanak is a defender for the Fighting Irish. He is from Marshall, Wisconsin, and went to Indiana lacrosse powerhouse Culver Military Academy. Jacob was his high school valedictorian and was also the captain of the lacrosse team.
Jacob’s journey to Notre Dame was unusual and selfless. While he was the #21 defensive recruit in the nation in the 2016 class, he arrived on campus with a Navy ROTC scholarship and spent his summers pursuing training as a Marine. Soon after graduation, he will be commissioned as a Marine officer.
Our Chat
Jacob took a break from studying for exams to speak with 18 Stripes:
- What was it like being in ROTC along with lacrosse, and how do you manage your time?
This is a question that I get a lot and the answer is that it gets easier over time. I remember how stressful I thought it was Freshmen year but after a year or two it became normal and I had figured out how to use my time in the most effective manner. As far as how I managed it; I kept a pretty organized schedule/calendar to make sure I was missing any deadlines or major events. Another key part of managing it was communication. I was fortunate enough that both the lacrosse staff and the staff in ROTC were very understanding of the commitments of each and as long as I communicated as soon as possible I was able to mitigate a lot of conflicts. One of the major questions I get revolving around ROTC and lacrosse is the physical aspect and the short answer to that balance is that ROTC was aware of the physical requirements lacrosse had and made the decision that I could be excused from PT as long as I had lacrosse training that day with the exception of the required fitness tests that the USMC mandates each semester. I will say that the fitness for lacrosse and ROTC is a little different, but I worked with our Strength Coach, Kyle Skinner to fill any gaps I thought I had. So being organized, communicating, and using all the resources available.
- What inspired you to consider the Marines?
My Dad’s uncle was a Marine aviator in World War Two and he was my first inspiration for the Marine Corps, Attending Culver Military Academy I was surrounded by Marines of various ranks that grew that inspiration into a passion. The last factor was definitely some of the marketing, “The Few, The Proud” that was something I wanted to be a part of. I have always liked challenging my self and being part of something bigger than the individual, so the Marines seemed like the best place to do that.
- How do think being on the lacrosse team will help prepare you as a Marine officer?
I think the most obvious ways are in peer to peer leadership and knowing your role in completing a mission. Being on a team is an excellent way to develop skills in leading your peers and everyone should take advantage of that opportunity. Not everyone can be the leading scorer or the takeaway defensemen just like everyone can’t be the guy kicking down the door but each member of a team plays a role and the mission can only be successful if each role is fulfilled well. I think the sport of lacrosse prepares you to think on your feet and adapt crucial skills of a Marine Corps Officer.
- When will you be commissioned and what will your Military Occupational Specialty be?
I will not know officially until after I finish my training at The Basic School (TBS) but my first two choices for MOS’s are Infantry and Ground Intelligence.
- Being from Wisconsin, how did you come to play lacrosse, and do you stay in touch with the teams and players you started with?
I was introduced to lacrosse by a friend of mine, Kansai Garey who finished his lacrosse career at the University of Tampa. Lacrosse is still up and coming in Wisconsin but there are numerous travel teams that are helping players develop. I still keep in touch with Kansai and a few of the other players from Wisconsin and the travel team I played for: True Lacrosse. The lacrosse community is small so it is easy to stay in touch and you always run into people at various lacrosse events.
- When I spoke with Auden Menke, he mentioned you two may go on a road trip. Have you all decided where you may go?
This is true we are planning a trip for this summer; we are still working out the details with everything that is happening with Covid-19 but I think the one thing we know for sure is it will be some kind of outdoor trip (hiking, biking. Etc.)
- What was your favorite experience in practice?
I don’t know if there was one specific moment from a particular practice that was my favorite but two of my favorite parts in practice were doing one of our defensive drills DBR (dodge, bounce, re-dodge) with Mike Farnish and Matt Blommer nothing like a defensemen/D-mid and a long pole getting a chance to dodge each other (the Finalizer works on Blommer every time). My Second favorite the part was scout team man-down, a lot of pride in that group of guys who love getting an opportunity to throw some junk at our offense.
- What was your favorite game experience?
My favorite game experience is the Marquette game of 2018 Jordan Walter’s goal to help give us momentum in the second quarter was pretty awesome
- What was your favorite part about Notre Dame?
There is so much to like about ND. You would be hard-pressed to find a place that cares about you as a student and an Athlete more that Notre Dame. The facilities both academic and athletic are state of the art and the people at Notre Dame are what make it so unique. But my favorite thing about Notre Dame is the opportunity it gives you to challenge yourself. If there is something you want to do regardless of what else, you are doing ND is the place to do it. I do not think I could have done everything I wanted to and did at any other place besides Notre Dame.
Thank you, Jacob, for speaking with us, and best wishes as you embark on your career as a Marine!
#Go Irish
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