Two-time All-CAC men's lacrosse defender Steve Mersinger of York College is this week's Capital Athletic Conference INTRODUCING ... featured student-athlete.  Mersinger, a senior business administration major, was a second-team All-CAC pick in 2007 and a first-team honoree last year.

What is your background in the sport you play?  I started to play lacrosse at age 8, which was one year after I had a horrible year playing tee-ball.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  The Grumbacher Center is definitely my favorite spot on campus not only because it is a great facility but it is where I spend the majority of my time (not at home).

Other than your team, what organization(s) do you participate in?  I have participated in intramural basketball ever year at York.  Basketball was actually my favorite sport growing up and I have missed it a lot not playing. Our intramural team has lost the previous three years in the semi-finals and we were finally able to pull out an intramural championship this last semester.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  One important societal issue is the over-emphasis placed on credentials. Once an associate degree was looked highly upon and now it is almost irrelevant and I am guessing that will soon be the case with a bachelor's degree. Students need to find alternative ways of distinguishing themselves from the rest of the country.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?  My major is Business Administration. I could never narrow down everything I have learned throughout my college career into ONE most important thing, but the business concentration has put into perspective what it takes to be successful. Every single decision affects an organization and the people within, therefore the compilation of thoughts and ideas need to be cooperative for anything to be accomplished.

Other than your family, who was the most influential person in your life?  I would say my 5th grade basketball coach, I called him coach Minchick. That was one of the most fun years I have had playing basketball and he did the best job of making the game just that. People play their best when they are having fun and have a genuine interest in the sport they play. Coach Minchick made sure everyone on the team enjoyed playing basketball.

If you could give advice to elementary school children, what would it be?  There's nothing wrong with dreaming. Dream as much as possible and ignore everyone that interferes.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  My favorite form of entertainment, hands down, is going to a Baltimore Ravens game. There's nothing better than watching a game at M&T Bank Stadium rooting for my favorite team.

Outside the CAC, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  One of my best friends is a pitcher for a junior college baseball team in Miami Dade, Florida, his name is Rob Waskiewicz. His work ethic and attitude are unparalleled.

Name three people, that you'd like to have dinner with?   I would like to have dinner with Lebron James because he is an amazing athlete and a good person. I think the way he carries himself is tremendous for the amount of hype he is given. Also, he is only 24 years old so we would be able to relate to each other.
  I would want to eat with Steve Bisciotti because he is the owner of my favorite professional sports franchise, the Baltimore Ravens. I would to love to chat about NFL operations because it is not exposed to the public normally.
  Last but not least, I would love to have dinner with Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple. Apple has made tremendous strides as a company throughout the past couple years, and as a Business student myself, I would have the opportunity to learn valuable information from his expertise.