Fairport senior midfielder Drew Hays signed his National Letter of Intent to play at the University of North Carolina last week, almost a year after making a verbal commitment to Tar Heel head Coach Joe Breschi. He will be joining McQuaid defenseman, Jake Bailey.

Drew picked UNC after considering Syracuse, Ohio State, Cornell and Penn State among others.

A few Minutes with Drew Hays

Why did you choose UNC?

"The campus at Chapel Hill is beautiful. I couldn't turn down the opportunity. Apart from the campus, there really is a positive vibe down there. Words can't describe it."

How did your visit at UNC go?

"My visit was incredible. The freshman who I stayed with, Greg McBride, really made me feel at home. The coaching staff was awesome, and I fell in love with the athletic facilities immediately. UNC is the perfect fit for me."

What are your strengths now and what will need improvement before next fall?

Drew sees speed and reading the play as strengths. "As a player are speed and being able to see what's going to happen on the field before it actually happens." Drew suggests that he needs to work on the use of space when dodging. "This will help me create more offense and not get beat up so much during games."

Who would you credit for your successes in lacrosse thus far?

Coaches Torrelli, Carlsen, Soudan, and Riorden start off his list with JV Coach Miller modified Coach Garrett. "I enjoy playing lacrosse under these guys because they truly know what they are talking about. Playing for them has been an honor, and it is going to be hard to leave them after this season. They are like family to me."

What players did you look up to as you were growing in the program?

"I looked up to players like Aaron Jones, Connor Lowe, Brendan Saylor, and Martin Manilla. One that really stands out in my mind is Tom Rynn. He has been my role model ever since I started playing lacrosse in Fairport. The way he carries himself and his athletic ability is what I have always strived for in life."

When did you first realize that you had the potential to play at the college level?

"When I was a sophomore playing with Jonesy and Lowe I knew I might be able to take it to the next level. Those two really helped me learn the game better just by watching them. Their IQ of the game rubbed off on me, I guess."

After winning a Sectional Class A championship last year, Hays and the Red Raiders have a big target on their backs. That is the kind of pressure, however, that Drew does handles well and it will be a Tar Heel benefit, but only after a final campaign in Section Five this spring.