US Lacrosse Magazine has partnered with Blaxers Blog to produce a series of stories that illuminate the minority lacrosse experience and promote the accomplishments of those individuals who have defied stereotypes to succeed in the sport.
Read more about Blaxers Blog and the content partnership here.
Chris Wong sat down with Blaxers Blog to discuss his unique perspective as a Jamaican and Chinese-American lacrosse player. In 2021, Wong will be a member of the U20 Jamaican men’s lacrosse team. Wong holds Jamaican citizenship but was born stateside and resides in Delaware. His paternal great-grandparents emigrated from China to Jamaica. As a result, Wong’s paternal grandfather was born and raised in Jamaica, and Wong’s father, Brian, was born on the island.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to grow the game,” Wong said. “Even for me being a citizen, the opportunity to represent Jamaica on the U20 team is special.”
Jamaica’s success in the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship inspired Wong as an up-and-coming player of color.
“It was awesome, and they showed out,” Wong said. “They definitely motivated me. It was something I wanted to be a part of. It’s an amazing opportunity to do that in 2021. I’m definitely preparing to play the best players in the world.”
Chris Wong
Hometown: Wilmington, Del.
High School: Salesianum School
Position: Attack/Midfield
Class: 2021
On April 27, Peter Milliman left second-ranked Cornell to fill the head coaching vacancy at Johns Hopkins. As a result of this movement, Wong decommitted from his initial commitment at Cornell and to join the growing list of 2021 Johns Hopkins commits.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE JOHNS HOPKINS?
“To start off, it’s one of the most historic lacrosse programs ever. The opportunity came to me, and I’m an hour-and-a-half from my family. Things like that, you can’t pass over. The great coaching staff, I was lucky enough to build a relationship with Coach Milliman at Cornell before he arrived at Johns Hopkins. Also, I’m excited to play for one of the best players ever in John Grant Jr.
“Right now, I’m undecided on my major. I love history. I’m open to anything. I just have to narrow it down. I want to play as hard as I can. Try not to force anything. Just go out there and compete.”
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PLAYING IN A TOUGH BIG TEN CONFERENCE?
“It’s what you dream of right, playing against the best teams? I’m pretty fired up about this opportunity to play Big Ten lacrosse.”
During his freshman season at Salesianum School in 2018, Wong helped the Sals earn their fourth consecutive Delaware state championship.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SALESIANUM LACROSSE AND PLAYING IN DELAWARE?
“Salesianum is the best program in Delaware. We play a national schedule every year against teams like Hill Academy and other schools with the best players. People don’t realize that competition is here [in Delaware], and being near Pennsylvania, you also get to play against top teams like Malvern Prep.”
Before committing to Johns Hopkins, Wong played at the club level with Road Warriors Lacrosse, a Haudenosaunee non-profit organization that focuses on academic emphasis and lacrosse development. Road Warriors’ primary mission is to field donations to provide merit and need-based scholarships to Indigenous youth lacrosse players. The club incorporates a culturally exchanged roster by pairing their Indigenous players with invited kids from all over the nation. Wong’s father, Brian, serves as Road Warriors general manager and non-profit operations manager.
HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO ROAD WARRIORS LACROSSE?
“At the 2015 WILC, a little kid kept kicking the back of my seat. It was pretty funny. After getting to know each other, I ended up meeting Mark ‘Red’ Burnam’s nephew-in-law. So, the connection started there, and I got the opportunity to play in front of him at an IMG Academy camp. Then, things fell into place.”
Mark “Red” Burnam (Mohawk Nation) was a member of the 1983 NCAA national championship team at Syracuse, played 11 professional seasons in the National Lacrosse League and earned back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993 with the Buffalo Bandits. Burnam founded Road Warriors Lacrosse Nationals and serves as Iroquois Nationals’ head coach.
HOW WAS YOUR PLAYING EXPERIENCE WITH PREDOMINATELY INDIGENOUS TEAMS?
“It was nothing but fun. The opportunities to play with them in tournaments is one of those experiences you will remember forever. You learn a lot being in that environment.
“The respect that you have for the game takes you a long way. Just have fun. That’s the whole point of the game. Play fast, have fun, score a lot of goals, and play with respect.”
As a member of the 2019 Seneca WarChiefs indoor program, Wong gained experience playing in the First Nations Junior B Lacrosse League. He credits his sharp field vision and passing creativity behind his box league experience.
WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM WOULD YOU GIVE TO LACROSSE YOUTH?
Have as much fun as possible. When you have fun, you play your best. Even with recruiting, don’t try to worry about it.
TILT BACK TUESDAY
Over on Instagram, Blaxers Blog threw it back to legendary coach Rick Sewell celebrating with his teammates.