By Brett Hughes

Andrew Boyd of Parkway West St. Louis, Mo., is an up and coming player, who will take his game to the NCAA next year and will help put Missouri lacrosse on the map.  The buzz around St. Louis has been big and it was a local retailer who called and said you have to see this kid play.  The past summer he did not leave people disappointed.

Name: Andy Boyd
High School: Parkway West
Travel/Club Team: St. Louis Samurais
Position: Midfield/Attack

ESPNRISE.com: What first got you interested in the sport of Lacrosse?
Andy Boyd: My neighbor moved to St. Louis from New York when I was in the 3rd grade and we would play catch in our backyards.  Sometimes we would set up trashcans and play one-on-one lacrosse in the snow.  I didn't really start playing until the 6th grade when I joined a youth league, which was new to St. Louis at the time.
 
ESPNRISE.com: Do you play other sports?
AB: I play football for my high school.  I played varsity soccer my freshmen and sophomore years and then I switched over to football my junior year.  In the winter I play pond hockey, and in the spring and summer I play roller hockey.

ESPNRISE.com: Were your parents athletes?
AB: My mom played basketball, tennis, and ran track.  My dad swam, played football, and ran cross-country.

ESPNRISE.com: What do you love about the game?
AB: I enjoy something that I've had success in.  It is fun because no matter what size or shape you are, there is a position on the lacrosse field for you.  Also, lacrosse is fast paced, which I like.

ESPNRISE.com: What do you hate about the game?
AB: I wish lacrosse were more popular in the Midwest.

ESPNRISE.com: Do you want to play in college? Where?
AB: I'm planning on playing at West Point. 

ESPNRISE.com: Have coaches contacted you?
AB: I have talked to a few coaches, mainly Coach Murphy from Army.  Some others include Providence College, Brown, and Colgate.

ESPNRISE.com: Who is your favorite lacrosse player?
AB: Chazz Woodson, Kyle Harrison, and Paul Rabil are my favorite lacrosse players.  When I was in eighth grade, I was allowed to play with the high school team, and I met a lot of the seniors.  I thought they were the coolest lacrosse players out there.

ESPNRISE.com: Who is your favorite Athlete?
AB: I was watching the Olympics a few weeks ago and that Usain Bolt guy from Jamaica is unbelievable.  He makes breaking records look easy. 

ESPNRISE.com: What are your hobby?
AB: I like hanging out with my friends and family.  I have a great golden retriever named Ace that is fun to play with.
 
ESPNRISE.com: What do you hope to accomplish with Lacrosse?
AB: I always wanted to play Division 1 lacrosse at a competitive school.  I want to win state with my high school team too.

ESPNRISE.com:What has been your greatest challenge as an athlete?
AB: Geographically, I face the challenge of being noticed by east coast schools.  I had to travel long distances in order to attend legitimate recruiting camps.

ESPNRISE.com:What motivates you?
AB: The desire to be the best I can be motivates me.  Whenever I am in my backyard playing wall ball, I always think to myself, "Self, I wonder if other kids are putting as much work in as I am."  Also, watching college games really motivates me.  I can't just watch lacrosse for an entire game, so usually at half time I go outside and play catch.

ESPNRISE.com:What advice do you have to a young laxer just starting out?
AB: Play with better lacrosse players than you all of the time.  Naturally that will make you better. 

ESPNRISE.com: What do people not know about you?
AB: I play the piano and violin.  My favorite season is winter.  I want to be a doctor, like my dad.  I received All-American honors last season.

ESPNRISE.com: Anything else our readers might enjoy?
AB: I love Tupac's music.  Whenever I hear a conspiracy theory about him still being alive, I get really excited.  Last year, there was a convincing theory that he would return on 7/7/07.  I was very disappointed when he did not return!

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