Two-time All-American defenseman Jackson Bonitz (Shrewsbury, Pa.) not only was selected by a vote of his peers to serve as a captain for the men's lacrosse team this season, he was also chosen by the captains of the other 35 sports at the Naval Academy to represent them as the Athletic Team Commander, more commonly known as the Captain of the Captains within athletics, for the 2023-24 academic year.

"I am both excited and humbled to represent the athletes and their respective teams," said Bonitz, who is the third Navy men's lacrosse player to serve in the role (Jordan DiNola, Spring 2008 / Andrew Tormey 2008-09). "One of the things I've most looked forward to in this role is creating new relationships with the other captains who are at the top of their respective sport. I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the relationships among our captains, athletes and non-athletes. I want each captain to know I am here and I want to help in any way I can."

"From the moment I met Jackson Bonitz four years ago, I knew there was something special about him," said fifth-year Navy men's lacrosse head coach Joe Amplo "Since that day, he has done nothing but raise the standard of behavior for Navy lacrosse. His earning the distinction of Captain of the Captains at the United States Naval Academy is validation by his peers Brigade-wide that they have noticed. He has proven to be an elite member of this community, and I have complete confidence he will help lead his peers towards excellence in leadership throughout the year."

Bonitz not only works hand-in-hand with the other captains, he is also supported by Col. Maria Pallotta, who is the Director of the Naval Academy's Center for Experiential Leadership Development (ELD) and teaches leadership and ethics to midshipmen, Capt. Brian Broadwater, who is the Military Deputy Director of Athletics, Brigade Commander Sean O'Dowd and Navy rifle head coach Mike Anti.

A two-time All-American (2022, '23 USILA / 2022, '23 Inside Lacrosse / 2022, '23 USA Lacrosse Magazine) and three-time All-Patriot League standout (2nd team in 2021, 1st team in 2022, '23), Bonitz is primed for another standout season leading the defense. Last year, the Mids ranked 11th nationally and second in the Patriot League in scoring defense (10.44 GPG).

Individually, Bonitz led the Mids with 22 caused turnovers a year ago, a mark that is tied for eighth on Navy's single-season takeaways list. He is just the seventh different Navy player to reach 20 caused turnovers in a single season. Meanwhile, he stands fifth on the all-time list with 50, trailing record holder Matt Rees (2014-17) by 34.

Bonitz is the first Navy player to compete as a member of the U.S. Men's Lacrosse Under 21 Team since it was established in 1988. He played a key role in leading the U.S. to a gold medal at the U21 World Lacrosse Championship in Limerick, Ireland in August of 2022. He helped anchor a defensive unit that held 6 of its 7 opponents to 5 or fewer goals, while getting on the scoring action with goals against Australia and Haudenosaunee.

After garnering First-Team All-Patriot League honors last April, Bonitz became the 14th player in program history to earn All-Patriot League honors at least 3 times and the first since Greyson Torain in 2017, '18 and '19. Additionally, he is Navy's sixth close defenseman / long-stick midfielder to be a three-time All-Patriot League selection and the first since Chris Fennell and Matt Rees in 2015, '16 and '17.

Bonitz has been named a 2024 Preseason All-American by both USA Lacrosse Magazine (2nd team) and Inside Lacrosse (3rd team).

Navy opens its season on Saturday when it plays host to Mount St. Mary's at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium with faceoff slated for 12-noon. Single-game tickets for home Navy men's lacrosse games are on sale now and may be purchased by stopping by the Navy Ticket Office at Ricketts Hall, by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY, via the internet at www.navysports.com or at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on game day. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, while groups of 20 or more will be offered a discounted ticket (in advance only, contact Jordan Albright at 410-293-8791 / grouptickets@usna.edu). Additionally there is a $10 charge to park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for all games.

### Go Navy ###