When Alex Ciak committed to North Central College, his reaction was very grounded compared to most.

“At first, I was really just grateful,” said the senior triple-athlete. “For the first time, I reflected on my recruitment and journey. It’s been a blessing, and I felt relief knowing I found home.”

North Central is located in Naperville, Illinois, and when it came down to checking the boxes that mattered most, they offered elite athletics and strong academics. 

The school offers proximity to career opportunities while fielding nationally competitive programs in both lacrosse and football.

“You have to go to school for academics,” Ciak said, “but finding a place with good schooling and crazy good athletics is about as good as you can get.”

“He’s a stellar student and athlete; he really puts the student before the athlete,” said senior golfer Benjamin Burgess. 

What makes Ciak’s commitment different is that he’ll be a double athlete once arriving at North Central. 

Ciak will compete in two sports at the collegiate level, a challenge he had to give serious thought to over the summers of his junior and senior years.  

“When I got my first offer to play both, that’s when I realized I could actually do this,” Ciak expressed. “I’ve always loved football, but I fell in love with lacrosse right away. I couldn’t pick one.”

“I think it’s absolutely outstanding that he has the athletic capacities to play two sports at the collegiate level; it’s marvelous,” said senior tennis player Alex Thomas. 

“I think he’s doing something that is setting an example for younger athletes who have multiple games that they love to play,” said Jacob Davister, senior soccer player. “Usually, students have to choose between a sport, but Alex is really going out there and proving that you can accomplish both if you set your mind to it.”

“I thought I’d never forgive myself if I gave it up that quickly,” Ciak said in talking about his love for the game of lacrosse. “I’ve only been playing for two years, and I’ve already come this far.” 

Balancing these two sports will require precision. 

“It’ll mainly come down to discipline,” Ciak said. “Since I’ll miss parts of each sport’s developmental phase, I’ll need to study film and attend meetings year-round.”

Both sports feed into each other, especially his role as a defensive back. 

“The footwork between football and lacrosse is very transferable. That’s where I see the biggest connection,” Ciak said. 

“There may be someone who does a longer workout,” Ciak said, “but nobody is as consistent as me day in and day out.”

He credits teammates for pushing him beyond his limits. 

“He’s a great leader and sets an example for everyone playing lacrosse; he’s the guy who sets the standard and actively pushes us to exceed it,” said Max Elfner, senior lacrosse player. 

“There was never a dull day,” Ciak said. “They always pushed me to be myself.”

Playing both sports at the college level means a strong commitment to time management. Nevertheless, Ciak said his goal at North Central is being a “two-sport All-American.”

“Alex is an amazing player and takes a lot of stress off of all of us. He’s a good teammate, and even on the hardest school nights, he was always up to date on everything, including film,” said senior quarterback Max Peirce. 

And for the younger audience watching his path?

“Play as many sports as you can, for as long as you can,” Ciak responded. 

North Central isn’t getting a player who had to choose between football or lacrosse; they’re getting a player who refused to conform to the norms.