by Joey Pagano
For Jake Pulver, adversity is a stepping stone. Through the ups-and-downs on and off the lacrosse field, the 2014 Fayetteville-Manlius graduate has always found ways to let his competitive, hardworking spirit guide him.
And on July 27, that resilience, once again, paid off, as Pulver traveled to Annapolis, Maryland to participate in his first Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game.
Although he and his teammates didn’t come out with the victory they were hoping for, he said, it was a fun and memorable atmosphere.
Going in, he said, he wasn’t sure what to expect, but when it was game-time, he realized how special it was to be there. “I was so honored to be picked to play in the game,” he said. “There were so many great lacrosse players that I used to watch [when they were] in college and in the pros.”
Like many aspiring lacrosse players, Pulver, who currently plays for the Dallas Rattlers, fell in love with the sport early, however he had to endure pain his peers didn’t.
A few months before high school, he was diagnosed with pancreatitis, and doctors suggested a healthier diet would solve the issues, but after symptoms continued, Pulver returned to the doctors for tests, which showed that he had ulcerative colitis, a disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.
Around a year after the diagnosis, doctors removed his large intestine, which was the source of the disease.
Though the ulcerative colitis caused him physical, mental and emotional pain, he credits it with shaping him into who he is today. As he was going through the tough times, he learned to focus on what was in front of him and to control what he can, two things he has carried with him since.
“Jake is able to focus on what he can control,” said former coach and teammate Jordan Stevens. “The ability to block out distraction, frustration and fear of failure is easier said than done, and it’s a great measure of someone’s toughness. Jake does as good a job at that as anyone I’ve been around.”
That’s what makes Pulver unique, Stevens said. A lot of players have talent, and although he may be more gifted than the average player, Stevens said of Pulver, he sets himself apart with his ability to overcome adversity and maintain an optimistic mindset, all while caring about those around him.
Former F-M boys lacrosse coach Chris Kenneally echoed that. From an early age, he said, Pulver was a fierce competitor, but he was a leader through the good and bad and guided his peers along with his younger teammates who admired him.
Kenneally, who coached Pulver for three years, said his former player exemplifies how “if you do the little things right, the game takes care of itself,” both on and off the field.
One of the “little things” he does is learn. Other than being tough and hopeful regardless of hardships, Pulver puts himself in position to be successful by being a student of life, Kenneally said.
“Jake learns from each experience,” he said, “and looks to improve daily as an athlete and as a person.”
Stevens added that the defender is highly motivated. It’s easy for players to let their work ethic go awry throughout the season, he said, but for Pulver, a commitment to improvement overrides fatigue and other distractions.
That has always been there for Pulver, who comes from a family of hard workers. Watching his parents raise a family while holding jobs motivated him, he said, but competing against his brother, Josh, growing up forced him to work hard more than anything. Josh played lacrosse for Syracuse University from 2014 to 2017.
Pulver said he encourages others to learn from his experiences.
“I wouldn’t have been able to get through anything I did without the help of my family,” he said. “I know there are way worse things to go through, and I hope my story can inspire people to keep fighting.”
