While other students scramble for job internships and interviews, Grand Valley State University senior lacrosse player Cameron Holding’s performance on the field was the only resume he needed to land a job after college.

Holding’s journey to professional lacrosse has led him back to GVSU after he was chosen by the Edmonton Rush during the fourth round of last September’s National Lacrosse League draft. He originally started his collegiate career at GVSU before transferring to Florida Southern College to try his skills at the NCAA level.

Last year, Holding’s former summer league coach and current head coach of the Rush recommended he enter the National Lacrosse League draft. One stipulation for entering was that Holding could not be playing a NCAA sport, which left him with the difficult decision of staying to play at Florida Southern or transferring to a club team to finish out his senior year.

“Definitely it was hard, but just last summer I started my own lacrosse company, so I mean this is my fourth year in school so I’ve got bigger things to worry about, not just, you know, one more season of lacrosse,” Holding said. “Given the opportunity to get drafted and playing at the highest level I can, I felt like that was the best choice.”

Holding said the Rush are expecting him to play as a fast-paced and vocal transition player, meaning he will play both offense and defense.

Holding has been the key to the Lakers dominance on the field. With Holding back on the team this season, GVSU has outscored opponents 177-51. His 52 goals and 72 points are the most in Division II so far this season, and the team is currently ranked No. 1 in the national polls.

Junior long stick midfielder Dan Mac Donell said Holding is always hustling and working hard for the team’s wins.

“He’s a scrapper, he’s a fighter,” Mac Donell said. “He’s obviously a huge asset to our team, and we probably wouldn’t be the No. 1 team in the nation without him.”

Even though he’s already been drafted, Holding is looking to finish his business management degree at GVSU next fall. Holding is already putting his business skills to work, with plans to coach his own lacrosse camps in Florida, Michigan and Tennessee this summer.

Mac Donell said Holding’s experience and knowledge of the sport allows him to think about the game in different ways than other players.

“It’s almost like having another coach on the field, he knows the game that well,” Mac Donell said. “He can take any scenario and look at it through his eyes, find two or three certain way to go about a certain play, and find a way to put the ball into the cage.”

Putting the ball in the cage has been Holding’s specialty this season. In a 16-5 blowout of rival Davenport University Holding poured in seven goals, outscoring their entire team, which was ranked No.2 in the nation at the time. Holding has scored at least two goals in every game so far this season.

Holding will play senior A lacrosse with many other NLL players this summer in preparation for starting his lifelong goal of playing professional lacrosse.

“It definitely has been a dream of mine,” Holding said. “Ever since you were little and you’re one going to the games, to be the one playing there will be absolutely amazing.”

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