Graduate Spotlight: Evan Sylvia

Recent Guilford College graduate, Evan Sylvia, has had the opportunity of a lifetime to coach the game he loves while living abroad.  A four-year member of the lacrosse team, Sylvia had the opportunity to study abroad in England during his junior year.  Upon graduating from Guilford with a degree in Business Management with minors in international business and economics, Sylvia returned to England taking a job with the English Lacrosse Association.  Since August, he has served as the lacrosse development officer for the city of Nottingham. 

In addition to his role as the lacrosse development officer for the city of Nottingham, Sylvia also heads the lacrosse program for Nottingham Trent University, coaching six different college teams –– the Men’s 1st and 2nd team, the women’s 1st and 2nd team, and the men’s and women’s development team.  Sylvia explains that the development teams are made up of players who have never played the game before.

“For a lot of these players, they have never picked up a stick before or have even seen a game of lacrosse,” Sylvia says of the developmental teams.  “It can be a challenge, but they have the opportunity to improve their game and can get promoted to one of the 1st or second teams.”

Outside of working with Nottingham Trent University, Sylvia has the responsibility of expanding and growing lacrosse with the youth of Nottingham.  

“I attend primary and secondary schools (middle and high schools) every week to teach and grow the game,” Sylvia says.  

During his time with the English Lacrosse Association, the Guilford grad also gets to play lacrosse as a member of the Nottingham city team competing against other teams throughout England.

“It’s an incredible experience as I get to visit all of these amazing and historical cities all while getting paid to get paid to play the game I love.”  Sylvia says of his time abroad.  “You somewhat forget how young America actually is, seeing and walking by centuries-old castles everyday is a new sight for myself.  I am always finding new things to do here, like hiking through the Sherwood forest where Robin Hood supposedly lived.”

Even though Sylvia wasn’t a part of the sports management studies program, his experiences as a student-athlete at Guilford helped further his professional opportunities.  The Business Management major made the Academic Dean’s list numerous times and was also a member of the All-ODAC Academic team during his college career. 

“Through the rigorous amounts of work and time management at Guilford, I have been able to efficiently manage and coach all of these teams and deal with responsibilities that comes along with it,” says Sylvia.  “The combination of the academics and playing lacrosse at Guilford has helped tremendously in the professional world outside of college.”

As for any future Quaker student-athletes considering following in his footsteps, Sylvia absolutely would recommend this program to anyone.  

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get paid to travel and live abroad.  There are endless opportunities right there for you, including continuing your studies and athletic career in a new country.”

Sylvia (Furthest to the left) with one of his men's team

Sylvia (In hat), coaching one of his men's team at a tournament at the University of Birmingham.

One Quaker's Unconventional Route to College Lacrosse

For many high school student-athletes, the dream of playing college athletics is a highly sought after goal.  These aspiring college athletes see their hard work and dedication culminate with the commitment to play at the next level.   This common route manifests itself over the country, year after year.  However, for some student-athletes, the road to college athletics is not as conventional.  A sophomore middie for the Quakers has taken one of the more unique routes to arrive on the Guilford College lacrosse team.

Larry Nichols is not your average “lax bro”, having served four and a half years in the United States Army.  His time in the Army was not spent working in an office or working behind the scenes of the military.  Quite contrary, Nichols’ time was spent on the front lines of Afghanistan during America’s War on Terror.  Throughout the course of two tours, Nichols’ heroically served our country while rising to the rank of sergeant.

While most lacrosse players spent their summers worrying about which coaches would be present at their lacrosse tournament, Larry was patrolling the streets of Afghanistan, conducting their “hearts and mines” objectives.  During these patrols, Larry and his platoon would have regular contact with the Afghani people vying towards assimilation into a life without the fear of the Taliban.  Nichols said his time in Afghanistan “had its ups and downs, and that you would have to take the good with the bad.”  

All of these experiences have shaped Nichols into the person he is today, both on and off the field.  He left the military and rejoined civilian life when he was 23.  At that age, most college athlete’s careers are winding down and are preparing to enter the real world.  However, he was determined to get back to the sport he loved.  

“It was something I had always wanted to do.  Even when I was younger, I had a dream of playing college athletics,” Nichols adds.  

While deployed, Larry and fellow solider, Pfc. Marcus Tynes, both had ambitions of going to the same school and competing in college athletics together.  

“I was going to play lacrosse and he was going to play football. It would have been the fulfillment of something really special,” said Nichols.

Unfortunately, the realization of that dream between the two soldiers would have to be completed by Nichols alone.  Sadly, Tynes was killed in Afghanistan after being struck by an enemy IED.  The loss of his good friend and comrade pushed him even more to get back to the game he loved.

Through his determination, drive, and passion, Larry wound up on the Guilford College campus.  After meeting with the coaches, who immediately felt the kind of presence he possessed, Larry also became a college lacrosse player.  

One memory that stands out above the rest happened during a fall evening at my house Larry’s first semester at Guilford.  I had just recently been named captain of the team.  As a junior and a new captain, I wasn’t exactly sure the right way to lead a college lacrosse team.  Larry sat down with me and shared some of the most insightful knowledge I have ever received.  Through that conversation I learned that I am apart of something bigger than myself.  As he pointed out, the best leaders are the ones not concerned with personal accolades and success, but rather, the success of the team as a whole.  He challenged me to leave the team in a better position than what I had come into it as.  

A player with a background like Larry’s brings a new angle to the team that is felt both on and off of the field.  The Quaker’s head coach, Tom Carmean, recognizes the impact that Nichols is able to have on the team.

“Beyond the fact that he’s a good guy and a good teammate,” Carmean said. “He adds an additional level of leadership and perspective to our team.  Larry comes with experiences that are completely unique.”

While he continues to develop his game every day and push himself both academically and athletically,  Larry has embraced his route to college.  The transition he faced from being an active duty solider to student-athlete is one that not many people can relate.   It is one that has motivated many players on our team to be better students and athletes.  The perspective that Larry Nichols brings is a truly invaluable in realizing how remarkably lucky student-athletes are to have the opportunity to play.  Whether it be the conventional or unconventional route, playing a college sport is truly an accomplishment.  Yet for one sophomore midfielder, the feat is almost unbelievable.  

Thomas Deane

Nichols during his second deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Nichols outside of his Forward Observing Base (FOB), Outpost Easy Bear