FULTON, Mo. -- For Andrew Stubblefield, choosing William Woods University meant more than choosing a place to continue his education and play lacrosse. It meant becoming part of something from the very beginning, creating a culture and building long-term connections.

After receiving a call from Coach Matlock on the morning of his high school graduation, Drew was presented with an opportunity to join a brand-new lacrosse program at William Woods. What started as a simple phone call would eventually become a journey defined by growth, leadership, academics, and, most importantly, family.

Stubblefield didn't know much about William Woods when Coach Matlock called, but he told him, "Hey, I'm checking out. I'm going to this new school. If you're interested in it, come check it out." Drew would then reach out to current players under Coach Matlock, Vinny DeMarco, and Gavin Nelson for their opinions.

Vinny stated in their phone call, "Hey, all the guys are coming here. You should definitely come to William Woods," DeMarco told him.

Once Drew had a conversation with his family, he ultimately decided William Woods was the best outcome for him. Being only an hour and a half from his home was a factor that also made the decision easier for him.

This decision allowed Drew to become one of the players responsible for helping establish William Woods lacrosse. Coming into a brand-new program presented a unique challenge. Lacrosse was still a rising sport, and the team had to introduce not only itself but the sport itself to a campus that had never had it before.

"I just wanted to get our name out there on campus," was all Drew wanted to do once they got on campus.

Members of the lacrosse team also made it a point when they first came to Woods to become more involved with the university. Freshmen, like Drew, went and joined clubs and organizations while the upperclassmen worked to establish the standard for what it means to be a William Woods lacrosse player.

"We're not here to play lacrosse. We're here to get our academics and be more involved within the university and do things on campus to get our name out there to people who may not know lacrosse," Drew said.

Drew knew that establishing the program meant making an impact on and off the field. This meant the Owls had to rely on one another while working to create a foundation for the program.

As the program grew, so did the challenges, and Drew believed the toughest challenge was establishing a culture within the team.

With only 18 players on their team the first season, building that culture was relatively simple. As the roster expanded and new faces joined the program, the team had to work to make sure everyone understood what it meant to be a William Woods lacrosse player.

"It took a second for us to click, but once we did, we were firing on all cylinders, and we were together as a family," he said. That sense of family has become one of the defining aspects of Drew's experience at William Woods.

It is a feeling that extends beyond the lacrosse field and into the classroom.

Academically, Drew appreciates the relationships he has developed with his professors and the personal attention they provide. Rather than simply being another student in the classroom, he has found professors who take the time to understand him as a person, student, and athlete.

Drew specifically credited Rocky, his sports management professor, for the support he has provided throughout his time at Woods.

"He's really shown the care throughout the years while I've been in his classes," Drew said. That support has helped Drew grow not only academically but personally.

Outside of lacrosse and the classroom, Drew has also been heavily involved with the fraternity lifestyle and serves on the executive board of his fraternity. Balancing athletics, academics, and his fraternity responsibilities can sometimes be difficult, but the relationships within the organization have helped make that balance possible.

We're all understanding of each of our duties, with all of us being associated with some sort of team and being a student," Drew stated.

The group has developed an understanding that academics come first, followed by athletics and fraternity life. That shared mentality has allowed Drew and his fraternity brothers to support one another while managing their different responsibilities.

As a sports management major, Drew hopes to work for an event organization within the sports industry after graduating from William Woods. His ultimate goal goes beyond simply finding a career in sports, but he wants to give back to the game that has given him so much.

Drew mentioned that he would love to create an organization that provides underprivileged youth with the opportunity to learn and play lacrosse. He recognizes that the cost of the

sport can prevent some youth from participating, particularly in areas where lacrosse is not as established.

His vision is to create a nonprofit organization that allows those youth to experience the game.

"Lacrosse isn't super big in certain areas because of how expensive the sport is," Drew said. "But if you can run an organization that is like a nonprofit that gives these kids the opportunity to learn lacrosse, then lacrosse can grow and boom."

For someone who helped establish a lacrosse program from the ground up at William Woods, the desire to help grow the sport for future sports is fitting.

Drew knows firsthand what it means to be part of something new. While his future goals are important, his time at William Woods has given him something that goes beyond a degree or sport.

When Drew was asked what Woods and lacrosse mean to him, he answered, "Just family. It's one big family."

For Drew, being part of the lacrosse program means having teammates who push one another to be better while also being there to pick each other up when things get difficult.

"We'll push each other until you want to give up, but we'll pick you right back up and get you out there," he said. "It's just one big happy family."

He will remember being part of the group that helped establish a program from scratch. He will remember the teammates who became brothers, the professors who supported him, and the opportunities that allowed him to grow as a student, athlete, and person.

Most of all, he will remember the people who helped him get here.

"I just like to thank my mom and my dad for always just being there. I just call them at any given moment. They answer the phone; they're always there for me, giving me opportunities to play this great sport and allowing me to be where I'm at. Then thank God for giving me the chance to be who I am and allowing me to play this great game of lacrosse and go to school for this scholarship that I have"

From a phone call on his high school graduation morning to helping establish a program that is continuing to grow, Drew Stubblefield's William Woods story has been about much more than lacrosse.

It has been about building something. Building a program, relationships, future, and along the way finding a family.