Washington D.C.- Gritty. Blue-collar. Fighter.
Those are some of the words Penn State men's lacrosse head coach Jeff Tambroni used to describe Nick McEvoy as a high school recruit seven years ago. Now, McEvoy, a 2020 alum of the program, is using those same characteristics to give back to the community.
McEvoy will be a guest fighter with the Haymakers For Hope Foundation, a charity that raises money to assist in the fight against cancer and in the support of survivors. The fighting series travels around the country and will be featured in New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. this year. McEvoy's fight will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m., in The Anthem located near the Wharf in Washington, D.C.
After watching his friend Joe French, a University of Virginia lacrosse alumni, fight in the event last year, McEvoy saw an opportunity too worthy to pass up.
"Understanding what (Haymakers For Hope) is about, and watching it firsthand last year, I knew I needed to be a part of it, too," McEvoy said.
McEvoy's charity of choice was none other than THON, an event that he participated in during his time in Happy Valley. Whether it was hanging out with Four Diamonds families during the athlete hour or raising money with his teammates, McEvoy has always been a supporter and participant of the student-run charity.
"I felt like I was going back to my roots, as well, which is why I chose THON to be the greater cause of who I would be sending my donations to," McEvoy said.
McEvoy showcasing his selfless demeanor and stepping up for a cause is just business as usual in Tambroni's eyes.
"Stepping in the ring and fighting for something he believes in, which is THON, is no surprise," Tambroni said. "Nick is the essence of fighting for a cause, and he did it when he was a player. We're awfully proud of the way he continues on that journey."
McEvoy was a highly-recruited prospect after attending Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. He received several offers from other Division I programs such as Ohio State, Denver, Maryland and Cornell, but McEvoy found a home in Happy Valley. And he has taken a piece of the Penn State lacrosse program with him long after graduation.
One of McEvoy's approaches to life now is to be a good guy for others, a trait that was first instilled in him by coach Tambroni when entering the program in 2016.
"It's one of the biggest lessons learned from my time at Penn State, it's not about me, it's about we, and I've absolutely loved that," McEvoy said.
In 48 games with the Nittany Lions McEvoy logged 14 points on nine goals and five assists, 45 ground balls and five caused turnovers as a midfielder. He stepped up multiple times for the Nittany Lions in key situations as a faceoff man during his final two seasons and played as a solid defensive midfielder during a magical junior season run.
It wasn't the wins, losses, and statistics that McEvoy covets to this day. It was the friends he made in Happy Valley along the way.
"I talk to all of my classmates almost every single day," McEvoy said. "We all say you play for the guy next to you when you're on that endline, going through some tough workouts and stuff like that. We went through some tough moments losing in the National Semifinal to Yale, but we always stuck with each other and that's what really stood out to me being a part of Penn State."
McEvoy hasn't left the lacrosse world for good. He recently started a job at his high school alma mater in an assistant coaching role for the men's lacrosse team.
"Coaching has been really fun. I've had some of the best coaches with Coach Tambroni and Coach (Peter) Toner who have taught me so much. I feel like I have to share that with the kids and make them better players," McEvoy said.
McEvoy now enters a new challenge as a boxer. Dropping the stick and helmet for a new set of gloves will be an interesting transition for him, but one he's looking forward to.
"Training has been a little bit different than lacrosse. A little more cardio but the physicality kind of stays the same," McEvoy said. "Still get to lay the body and get physical, just in a little bit different way with my fists."
There are some skills that McEvoy can take with him from the field to the ring. Keeping his head on a swivel, staying light on his feet, and keeping a healthy hand-eye coordination are physical traits that garnered great success in his lacrosse days. He hopes they'll carry over into the boxing world.
"I've been using my old Penn State workout programs that have been helping me… and also crushing me," McEvoy said.
McEvoy returned to the film room as well to study one of his favorite fighters. He hopes to enter the ring with the same ferociousness as a legend.
"I have been studying Mike Tyson and that's how I plan to come out," McEvoy said. "I've been studying other fighters, but all the other trainers have been saying 'Just study Mike Tyson'."
McEvoy expects a good fight with his opponent, Chris Jenkins. Sporting similar reach and heights, McEvoy believes the deciding factor will come down to fan support.
"I think the fan base will be on my side; a lot of Penn State lacrosse guys are coming down," McEvoy said.
The support of those Nittany Lions echoes one of the mottos of the Penn State program – Teammates for Life.
For more information on how to back McEvoy in his support of THON, visit here.
