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.