Riverdale, N.Y. — Fifth-year attacker Kyle Gucwa was recently named to the list of United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-Americans. Gucwa became the first Jasper ever to receive the honor.
"What makes Kyle so special is the positive impact that he has left on all of the players and coaches inside our locker room," men's lacrosse head coach Doug Sage said. "The foundation of our program has been built on players like Kyle that fully embrace doing the little things right every day, putting in the extra reps and not backing down when things get tough."
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— USILA (@USILA_Lax) June 13, 2024
In 2024, Gucwa put the finishing touches on his stellar career by recording 36 goals and 32 assists and leading Manhattan to a MAAC Championship Game berth. Over five years, Gucwa collected no shortage of honors. His list of accomplishments include three All-MAAC First Team Selections (2022, 2023, 2024) and a spot on the 2022 MAAC All-Championship Team when he helped lead the Jaspers to their first MAAC Tournament Championship in 20 years. Additionally, Gucwa's success in 2024 was backed up by him winning MAAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year.
"My five years at Manhattan were everything I could've imagined and more," Gucwa said. "I learned a lot about myself during my time at Manhattan and it helped make me a better man."
The Pottstown, Pennsylvania native was a focal point in helping make the Jaspers an annual contender in the MAAC. Gucwa and his teammates orchestrated three appearances in four years in the MAAC Championship Game, highlighted by the 8-7 win over St. Bonaventure in 2022.
"My dad told me you have a chance to help build a program and make something better," said Gucwa, reflecting on his commitment to Manhattan when he was a junior at Bishop Shanahan High School. "Our program five or six years ago compared to where it is now is a lot different. The standard for winning is a lot higher and the guys and myself take a lot of pride in that."
Gucwa comes from a proud lacrosse family in Southeastern Pennsylvania where the sport has boomed in popularity. His father, Kristopher, played at UMBC and his two younger brothers, Collin and Connor, both play college lacrosse at Drexel University and Tiffin University, respectively. Gucwa fondly recalled the time he played in a game where his dad was his coach and his grandfather was a referee, showcasing three generations of the Guwca family out on the lacrosse field.
"Year in and year out there are good players coming out of Pennsylvania," said Gucwa, who won two state championships in high school. "Our Manhattan roster this year, for example, had five players from Pennsylvania. When I was a freshman, I was the only Pennsylvania guy."
Gucwa departs Manhattan as the all-time points leader (205) and ranks second in goals (125) and third in assists (80) across 63 career games for the Jaspers. He also sits at sixth all-time in points in MAAC history. Beyond the records, the most important results from his time at Manhattan are the relationships he made with his teammates and the high standard they set together for Manhattan lacrosse.
"We increased the standard of Manhattan lacrosse and we made something really special here," Gucwa said. "We are putting our faith into the players who are coming back to carry this thing even further."
Gucwa graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and a Masters of Business Administration.