In an era when high school sports are increasingly competitive, one person stands out: Shane LaDuca. LaDuca is a multi-sport athlete, competing in high-skilled sports such as football, bowling, and lacrosse.
As graduation gets closer, LaDuca leaves behind a legacy defined not just by impressive statistics but by a strong image of leadership and adaptability that has become his hallmark.
LaDuca says his journey began in second grade with football, explaining, “I’ve played every year of my life all the way up until I finished my senior season here at Ramapo. It was definitely some of the best years of my life—forming bonds with some of my teammates that I’ve now known for over ten years and will probably stay close with for the rest of my life.” By his senior year, he earned the NJ Group 3 North Championship.
In football, he is a starting outside linebacker. He displays a relentless motor and an innate ability to read his opponents and teammates. He finished his career with 71 assisted tackles, an achievement that etched his name into the school’s history books as the fourth-most all-time in that category.
“I started playing lacrosse in the 6th grade and wasn’t really ever that good at it until my sophomore year at Ramapo,” he reflects. “I am a three-year varsity starter on the lacrosse team, and I am currently a team captain.” His journey reflects his ability to grow and make his mark on the team, both as a leader and as a person. LaDuca competed with BBL North/National and Lake Elite (the 2026 champion at the Lake Placid Summit Classic). Winning on such a stage solidified his reputation as a defender capable of performing under high-stress, fast-paced, and high-level competitions. LaDuca’s coach says, “Shane is an incredibly hard-working young man who brings a passion to everything he does and is a fierce competitor. He cares deeply about his teammates and the sport of lacrosse, and it has been a great experience to be able to coach him.”
Member of the team Cole Seyffer talks about LaDuca: “He’s a great player and a great friend, I hope to see him excel in the future.”
Along with football and lacrosse, he joined bowling, which he finds very fun. Even though he went into the sport thinking that he would join just for his senior year, he ended up “winning second-team all-league honors, along with having the second highest pin average on the team, even though it was [his] first year on the team.”
LaDuca leaves us with this: “The athletic programs at Ramapo have influenced my life in so many different ways. Whether it be from the football, bowling, or lacrosse team, each group taught me many facets of life and how to develop and conduct myself as a young man. I will forever be grateful for my teammates and coaches that I have been teammates and coaches that I have been blessed with.”
As he moves on from high school to college, where he committed to Saint Anselm College for lacrosse, he leaves behind a legacy of resilience. He serves as a role model for young athletes through his journey, proving that even if you feel that you are “not that good” at the start, it’s merely a launching pad to a new level with practice. He embodies the grit and humility of a great athlete.
