For Roderick Mayberry, lacrosse was little more than a funny French word until he got to the seventh grade—it was there that the Bowie High School graduate fell in love with the sport.

“I didn't know what it was and had never heard of it, but when I found out you could hit I was sold,” he said.

Mayberry said he originally started playing lacrosse so that he could continue playing sports while football was in the off-season. Mayberry didn’t know it when he began, but lacrosse would become a lifelong passion of his, one that he hopes to continue at the University of Texas where he will play this fall.

“I think playing at this level will suit me because I have always been a physical player,” Mayberry said. “I have seen a bunch of UT and other MCLA games and I think I will be able to fit into it very well.”

Mayberry prepares to shoot on cage

The 6-foot-1 midfielder played for Bowie High School in Southwest Austin, earning All-State distinction from the THSLL three times. In his time off the lacrosse field, he continued to play football as well as run track for the Bulldogs. Mayberry’s athletic background has taught him to expect the best from himself.

“My biggest fear about [playing at Texas] is that I will not be able to contribute enough to satisfy my expectations of myself.”

Mayberry helped his team win the Central District title last season, including a two-goal performance against Austin High in the semifinals that ended the Maroons’ three-year reign as district champs. The Bulldogs went on to beat Cedar Park before falling to eventual state champions Highland Park. Bowie’s amazing run came just two years after the program moved up from Division II.

Mayberry will be undergoing orthoscopic surgery this fall for a shoulder injury he sustained in high school, but he said he is ready to compete at the next level and help Texas win a second straight conference championship. As for why he chose to stay in Austin? Well, that was an easy decision.

Head Coach Noah Fink is also excited to see what Mayberry will bring to the team.

"Roderick is a very talented player who I have known for years. He has played in the area with the ATX teams and we have seen him mature into a great person and player. It will be an honor to coach him and I know the level of work ethic he will bring to the team will make our team even stronger."