Steve Lapham, affectionately dubbed "Pal" by his friends, is nearing the end of an action-packed athletic career at Tufts. The senior from Newburyport, MA has successfully juggled two sports for four years. On the gridiron, Lapham was the starting fullback, and on the baseball field he is a starting pitcher and a tri-captain.
I definitely think playing two sports has made my four years here at Tufts the best possible time I could have," Lapham said. "Not only being able to play two sports I love, but the people I have associated with have made me very grateful to have had the opportunities I've had here."
Growing up in Newburyport, a little town 40 minutes north of Tufts on I-95, Lapham has played multiple sports his whole life. He started playing organized football in the fifth grade and was already a veteran on the diamond in the first grade. At Newburyport High, Lapham played football, basketball, and baseball.
His active youth was a deciding factor in becoming a Jumbo. "It is the reason I chose Tufts in the first place," he said.
Despite his athletic prowess, Lapham is hesitant to choose a definite role model.
"There are so many people who have touched my life throughout my athletic career," he said. "Coaches come and go, and so do teammates, but the one permanent fixture is your parents and I have to say that they are my biggest influence."
After being an instrumental part in the Jumbos 6-2 football season, Lapham has stored the memories and shifted into baseball mode. A steady fastball and a curveball have allowed Lapham to rack up the innings in his four years as a varsity pitcher (183.2). He also boasts an ERA this season that is second on the team (3.16).
While his wins and losses have not been favorable to him, he is definitely the workhorse of the staff.
"Steve is a gutsy pitcher who we can count on to give us quality innings," sophomore third baseman Adam Kacamburas said. "He always gives our team a chance to win."
This year's baseball team, fresh off a victory over UMass Dartmouth, in which Lapham pitched four sharp innings, is shooting for a NESCAC title and a birth in the NCAA tournament. While it could be one of the best teams in recent memory, Lapham is not quick to make any bold predictions.
"I would have to compare [this team] to the 2000 team," Lapham said. "Everyone gets along, we all like one another, and we have some very talented players. The difference right now is whether or not when the time comes people are going to step up and make the big plays or hit the clutch single or make the great pitch. So far we haven't done that on a consistent basis. When, or I should say if, that time comes, this team could in fact be the best one I've been on in my four years."
Lapham has embraced his role as team captain but he has not let it change who he is. For the past four seasons, his voice (also heard singing around campus) is constantly echoing from inside of the dugout encouraging his teammates.
Lapham is the blue-collar athlete that gets it done. "He is very determined and displays a hard work ethic in the off-season," junior outfielder and fellow tri-captain Evan Zupancic said. "He is a tenacious baseball player."
"I was elected captain along with Dan [Callahan] and Evan [Zupancic] because of who we were and how we went about baseball," Lapham said. "To change that would be doing a disservice to the ones who elected my teammates."
