The McAndrews Fund Newsletter

Lax Player Possesses the Power

Few people outside the sport of lacrosse know the meaning of the term FOGO. It is a title given to faceoff specialists that literally means Face Off, Get Off. These individuals are called upon for one primary purpose—possession. In close games, possession from the faceoff can be critical to winning and losing in the end.

Bernie Nolan ’07 is a FOGO expert. He arrived at Dickinson College four years ago and has since made his mark in the record books. In his first season as a Red Devil, Nolan set the single-season school record by winning a remarkable 193 faceoffs in 2004. He broke the career record in the 2007 season opener and continued to add to that number in every game.

He surpassed David Updike ’89’s career record of 509, which was set between 1986 and 1989. Nolan was just shy of 600 midway through the season, winning 96 faceoffs in the Devils’ first seven games. He amassed a remarkable 691 wins in over one thousand attempts, posting a career winning percentage of 65 percent. He set the school single-game mark in his rookie campaign as well, winning 22 of 30 against Ursinus College.

Nolan also moved into second on the career list for ground ball pick-ups, becoming the third Dickinson player to reach 300. Updike currently holds the school mark, averaging more than nine per game during his career for a total of 402. Nolan recorded 359 during his tenure as a Red Devil.

The men’s lacrosse program has steadily improved in recent years and was in contention for the Centennial Conference title this season. Playing in one of the most competitive lacrosse conferences in the country, the Red Devils made their fourth-straight playoff appearance this spring. Nolan is one piece of the puzzle that has led to this success.

Nolan, who majors in International Business and Management, also minors in Chinese. He spent seven months studying in China, joined by classmate and teammate Ed Lawless ‘07. During the summer, he was at the Beijing Language and Culture University. He spent the fall semester at Beijing University.

Looking to pursue a career in finance, hopefully in New York City, he also desires to work internationally at some point, with China being the most ideal place. He speaks very positively about his experience at Dickinson College, and how it has prepared him for life after college.

He is very appreciative of his experience and the people who have supported him. “Coach Webster’s support and guidance throughout these four years has been amazing. He has helped me mature in so many ways,” says Nolan. He adds that he is also thankful for the support of his parents, Athena and Bernard Nolan, adding “It goes without saying how much they have done for me, and how much support they have always given me.”

Those comments are truly definitive of Nolan’s character and a tribute to his parents and the influence of his coaches. Last winter, the men’s lacrosse team canceled a trip to England in order to travel to Louisiana to aid the hurricane victims and help rebuild a devastated community.

The players always speak positively about that experience and never a word about not going to England. They all simply understood that they had an opportunity to do something very important. They may not even truly realize just how important that trip was, especially to many people they may have never even met.