On Tuesday Sept. 17, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School junior Caleb McDowell announced his commitment to play collegiate lacrosse at Yale University. The four-star long pole defenseman, chose to become a Bulldog after feeling a connection to the school and their program. For McDowell, attending Yale University would give him the opportunity to continue advancing academically, while also leveling up in his lacrosse career.
“Yale was the best choice for me and my family,” McDowell told The Fanscotian. “I really fell in love with the culture of the school and especially the team. I especially liked the coaches and the way we interacted and I connected with the players.”
Yale University, a private Ivy League institution in New Haven, Connecticut, is a critically acclaimed school that is known for its top tier education including popular majors of economics, political science and computer sciences. Participating in the Division I Ivy League Conference, Yale competes in Reese Stadium against the likes of Harvard, Princeton and Cornell.
Coming in at 6’3”, 195 pounds, McDowell is a wrecking force between the lines, marking up against opposing teams best attackers while also leading his teammates to success. Whether he is playing for the high school or his highly ranked club team Leading Edge, McDowell is always making a difference on the field and will make the same type of impact once he dawns the Bulldog uniform.
Although this announcement has brought attention to his name, McDowell is not unfamiliar with receiving recognition for his talents on the field. Ranked as one of the top 100 players in the Class of 2026 by Inside Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse Federation, McDowell was also named second team All-State, first team All-County and invited to the National All-Star Game during his sophomore season. He is also a member of the U-20 Jamaica Men’s National Lacrosse Team.
“[The recognition] is fun at first, a little overwhelming, but I think that I really settled into [all of the acknowledgement] and now feel comfortable,” McDowell said.
With one NCAA Tournament Championship, in 2018, and five Conference Tournament Championships, most recently in 2017, Yale is one of the most dominant programs in collegiate lacrosse under head coach Andy Shay. Once he is officially a Bulldog and wearing the Yale blue and white, McDowell will hope to add to the storied legacy of the Yale program.
“I think my first goal is to be on the field freshman year,” McDowell said. “I also want to win a National Championship and be an All-American.”
Along with being a mainstay in the SPF lacrosse program, McDowell is also a major factor on the boys basketball team and contributes as a power forward/center. Though he has two more seasons to play as Raider, McDowell can already sense the way he will feel after he graduates.
“I’m going to miss all of my teammates, coaches and the culture of the team [after high school],” McDowell said.
