Maya Martin, Editor-in-Chief

The alarm rang at 5 a.m., long before the sun rose over McCarthy Field at La Salle University. By 6 a.m., Sam Klein was already on the field, running solely off a GoGo SqueeZ and learning what Division I lacrosse really demanded. Around her were some of the best players she had ever competed alongside. Just months after being a standout in high school, Klein was suddenly starting over on a whole different level.

Although comprised of successful athletes, Klein’s freshman year on the team was filled with unfortunate losses. Game after game, the scoreboard told the same story. Her freshman season ended with a 0-15 record. For many players, each loss turned excitement into frustration. A season like that might have been enough to transfer and start fresh at another school. For Klein, this was not an option.

“There is something to say about losing every single game and still choosing to come back the next year,” she said. “I think that says a lot about all of the seniors that have started at La Salle and are still here because we believed in the talent that this program has and that this program can be something far greater than it was when we first stepped in.”

Klein’s journey started when she was just a tiny second grader running around in oversized goggles for the first time on the lacrosse field. Following in her older sister Sarah’s footsteps, Klein developed a passion for the sport and continued playing throughout high school, eventually making the varsity team and playing on her club team, the Salt City Snipers.

Klein’s recruitment journey was not simple. During the COVID-19 pandemic, game film was hard to come by, and recruitment rules changed altogether. Klein, however, channeled her passion and got creative with the recruitment process. She did everything she could to prove her talent to prospective universities, including sending them basketball film and any other proof of her overall athletic ability.

Ultimately, between the city life and the friendly atmosphere, Klein excitedly committed to La Salle. As for many athletes, however, freshman year was nothing less than a culture shock. Klein battled the physical challenges of lift, practices and games six days a week. Mentally, she had to adjust to returning each day to her St. Basil’s dormitory, expected to complete schoolwork after hours of exertion.

“There’s a constant pressure to perform at your highest, even if you’re physically and mentally not 100%,” said Klein. “That’s a lot of pressure for sure, and in more high-stakes circumstances like in games, the expectation is that you don’t make mistakes.”

Well adjusted now, Klein continues to find balance among the mental and physical demands of being a DI athlete, while also giving her all to school and extracurriculars.

“This year we’ve had a lot of Wednesday games… and so Sam had her grad night class,” explained lacrosse manager Emily Sarkissian. “We were on a three-hour bus ride, and she joins the class on Zoom. Then, as soon as the bus arrives, she runs to actually go to the class in person because she was like, ‘Oh, well, I can’t participate as well online.’ So many other people would have just been like, ‘Oh yeah, I have an excuse. I was at lacrosse.’ That’s not her. She’s gonna put 110% into everything.”

Klein managed to complete her undergraduate degree in communication in three years. She now looks ahead to graduating with her master’s in strategic communication this May of 2026. On top of her studies, Klein is also the managing editor of the La Salle Collegian student-run newspaper.

“Being Managing Editor, she handles the social media and reviews every single article and other specific needs to be handled with the Collegian,” said business editor Claire Herquet. “She handles communication, which is not easy to do, given her schedule… It’s very hard to manage extracurriculars while being a student-athlete, so I admire that she’s able to do that on top of going for her master’s.”

Klein’s grit and dedication do not come as a surprise to many because of her leadership skills on and off the field. On paper, Klein has been a captain of three teams: varsity lacrosse, varsity basketball and DI lacrosse. On a deeper level, Klein makes an impact beyond the stats. She lifts up the players around her, giving them support and guidance.

“That fulfills me,” said Klein. “Even if the stat book doesn’t show that I had a good game, if I could have been the reason that somebody else did just with my feedback, my attitude and the way that I can treat them and connect with them, that means more to me than anything.”

Klein’s selflessness on the field does not go unrecognized to players, coaches and especially managers.

“Sam is a leader on the field,” said Sarkissian. “Every single move that she makes, she’s not just making it for herself… You can tell when she’s on the field, it’s not like she’s trying to get the ball so she can score. She’s trying to get the ball in the best position for the team so that we can do better. She’s a very selfless player.”

Klein’s leadership is visible and respected. Despite the demands of being a student-athlete, she overcame freshman-year challenges with grace, and she continues to thrive. While many student-athletes may crumble under the pressure, Klein channels it into her motivation. 

“I view pressure as a privilege every single day,” Klein expressed. “I think if your team is counting on you to perform, you are in a privileged position. If your coach is counting on you to lead, you are in a privileged position. If you can physically wake up every single day at 5 a.m. to go run miles on end, go lift and then do an entire day of classes like we did my freshman year, that is a privilege.”

After having pushed through this pressure, Klein looks ahead to graduation in May. She hopes to stay in the Philadelphia area and focus on finding a job filled with passion, creativity and helping others. She is looking for a job in communication where she won’t be “working for the weekend” but rather enjoying every day at work.

Although Klein’s lacrosse career may be coming to an end, the lessons and determination she has learned along the way will be carried with her.

“Lacrosse has truly made me the person I am today… for so many reasons. I think it’s given me all of the good qualities I have, whether that’s athletics-related, but more so, the soft skills of knowing how to work with a team, knowing how to overcome adversity or knowing how to lead… Playing lacrosse at La Salle has given me a greater sense of purpose and connection.”