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#4 Dave Pontieri will compete in the Stars & Stripes Classic on Monday. (Courtesy James Amandola)

Men's Lacrosse Pete Janny

Dave Pontieri, an Army Green Beret, earns his spot in the Stars & Stripes Classic

Pontieri '02 is a proud Jasper alum who has a deep love of country and lacrosse

Riverdale, NY — This Labor Day will have extra meaning for Manhattan lacrosse alum David Pontieri 02' who has been selected to represent the Army Green Berets during the Stars and Stripes Classic Game sponsored by Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Monday can't come soon enough for Pontieri, a Green Beret of six years, and those who are close to the proud Jasper alum.

"I've spent half my life either as a lacrosse player or as a soldier, so this is a unique opportunity," Pontieri told GoJaspers. "I'm grateful and excited to get back onto the field and combine both chapters for a few hours on Labor Day. "

Pontieri will be part of the Green Beret team that is set to clash with the Navy Seal Foundation team on Monday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The game is the first event on a Labor Day card which will feature a PLL Quarter Finals double header at Gillette. 

Pontieri does not take the honor to compete for the Green Berets lightly, especially given his six years as a Green Beret with the 10th Special Air Forces Group (Airborne) as well as two years in training. He has since left active duty to join the Army National Guard and is now a Military Intelligence Officer based in Colorado where he lives with his wife, Rebecca, and his two daughters, Olivia, 9, and Mara, 4. 

Pontieri's military service made him put lacrosse on the backburner for years, making Monday the ultimate full circle moment for Pontieri. 

"I have not played competitively since my time at Manhattan so while I hope some play is instinctual, I expect to make mistakes and then improvise and adjust for the next run," Pontieri said. "We are fortunate to have great coaches for the game…Joe Alberici from the US Military Academy at West Point and Bobby Benson from Providence College. I'm excited to work with and learn from them."

Even though Pontieri's return to the sport has been a long time coming, he can rest his laurels on the fine career he put together at Manhattan, which includes being named to the 2001 All-MAAC First Team. 

"Dave was the ultimate teammate," said Jaspers Hall of Fame goalie James Amandola '02, who also attended Patchogue Medford High School with Pontieri and had him as a groomsman in his wedding. "He led by example and demonstrated extraordinary discipline in all aspects of his life. He is a reliable friend and a great athlete."

DavePontieri (2)
Pontieri (right) pictured with Amandola. 

"I remember Dave as a steady and calming presence on the team," said former Manhattan teammate Ryan Wheeler '01. "Never a rah-rah kinda guy but rather a player who led by example, both on and off the field."

The parallels between lacrosse and military service ring true for many including Pontieri. The hard work and dedication toward accomplishing a team goal is at the forefront of both pursuits. The commitment to personal excellence also requires incredible discipline and attention to detail. 

"The best soldiers and lacrosse players I have been around are masters of the basics," Pontierri said. "They relentlessly practice fundamentals until they become second nature. Things on the battlefield or lacrosse field will inevitably go wrong, and when they do, the soldier or player who has mastered the fundamentals can quickly adapt and better support the team and mission."

Through all of life's twists and turns, Pontieri has never forgotten his Jaspers roots. The good old days of playing at Gaelic Park and Van Cortlandt Park are some of life's fondest memories that Pontieri carries with him, and he is proud to see how much the Jaspers program has grown since his time. 

"Today's Jaspers have a completely different experience than we did, and I'm thrilled to see it," Pontieri said. "It's also been great to see the alumni support invest in the growth of the program."

Fittingly, when the Maryland Whipsnakes face off with the Denver Outlaws at 6:30 pm ET, former Jaspers goalkeeper Brendan Krebs '22 will be in net for the Whipsnakes as he looks to build on his successful journey in the PLL to date. 

Monday is set to be a memorable day for Pontieri, Krebs, and the entire Jaspers lacrosse program. 

DavePontieri

 
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