JAMESTOWN, NY - Jamestown Community College's Blake Bernstein (Long Beach, NY / Bishop Loughlin Memorial HS) is continuing his academic and athletic careers at La Roche University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but there's a bit of a twist. The former JCC basketball player is switching to another love by joining the Redhawks' lacrosse team.

"My thought process was I wasn't sure what to do after JCC, but I really wanted to have the opportunity to play a sport," said Bernstein. "I loved playing basketball here, and I wanted to continue growing my mindset as an athlete and competitor. The opportunity to play lacrosse at La Roche keeps me in check to improve as a person and athlete," he added.

The sophomore spent two years with the Jayhawks' basketball program but still had an itch to scratch on the lacrosse field, a sport he played in high school. The sports management and business major believes he can achieve that at the Division 3 institution.

"The coaches are great and made me feel welcomed when I visited their campus. They were super personable and super cool. I had an instant connection with some of the guys on the team. I knew this was somewhere I could thrive and grow as an athlete.

Knowing he could make an impact on a four-year roster is a mindset that Blake started to curate while in the green and gold.

"JCC prepared me by showing me the skills I needed to have to become a better player and teammate," said the Long Beach native. "Coach X (Xavier Churcan) is a passionate coach, and I am taking those values with me. I am going to La Roche, having these resources and contacts I can rely on if needed. I think JCC really made me a more discipled athlete and student. The coaches and people around me here pushed me to be a better person," he said.

Those skills are why Coach Churnac gave Blake the "Brotherhood MVP" award at the JCC athletic banquet and helped him reach his potential on and off the court.

"Academically, JCC helped me with staying on task and keeping a schedule. It showed me how to have a routine every day. I learned how to study and become a good test taker. The advisors and teachers and those who helped me academically, I wouldn't have graduated without the help from those people here at JCC," he mentioned.

Bernstein was known for keeping himself busy as a Jayhawk. Not only was he a member of the men's basketball team, but he was also a resident advisor, a lifeguard, and a photography intern in the athletic department, and he was also part of the International Club on campus.

"I am going to miss the people that are here and the friends that I have made along the way. Realistically, I could never see everyone again, or we could see each other every day, but getting to meet all these new people opened my eyes and broadened my horizons to who I could meet and become friends with.

It's the time spent being involved in everything he could be that Blake feels has him prepared to take on the new challenge of heading to the Steel City.

"I am ready to start in a new area. Pittsburgh is a really big city. I want to explore what is around campus. I'm excited to challenge myself with a new sport and be a part of a team that is trying to rebuild. I want to be a key component within this team and be relied on as a core member. I am also looking forward to the cafeteria; they have all-you-can-eat," he said with a smile.

Bernstein and his fellow La Roche Redhawks report to campus on August 22nd.