Lacrosse’s Charlie McGinnis to Play at Hofstra

10/22/2023

Two-sport standout Charlie McGinnis has committed to attend Hofstra University and play lacrosse for the school next fall.

“The biggest reason I chose Hofstra was coach Seth Tierney,” said McGinnis. “He made me feel at home and expressed their interest in me. It meant a lot to me.”

Tierney has led Hofstra to 132 victories, the 2008 Colonial Athletic Association championship, the 2009, 2011, and 2014 CAA regular season titles, and berths in four consecutive NCAA Championships from 2008 through 2011 over the last 17 years. He has also coached 15 student-athletes who have earned All-America honors and 76 who have earned all-conference accolades.

Charlie joins his sister, Greta, as the second collegiate lacrosse player in the McGinnis family. She plays for Flagler College in Jacksonville, Fla.

“My sister shared with me her recruiting experience and what to look for and to avoid in schools,” said McGinnis, who will study Business. “Hofstra had everything she told me to look for in a school. It means a lot to me to play my sport in college. My sister was the first in our family. My family will get to watch me play. I am excited to continue sports.”

McGinnis, the starting quarterback on the football team, has had to balance the demands of playing two sports at the varsity level.

“I wouldn’t say I have balanced it too well,” said a smiling McGinnis. “For a while, I quit lacrosse and came back to it. It is hard. It is football season now, and I love football, but I love lacrosse. It has been hard on Coach Pat (Harbeson) and Coach Jewell trying to figure it out.”

McGinnis joined the lacrosse team midseason in 2023 to help the Broncos take the Arizona State Championship for the second consecutive season. He saw action in nine games, recording 15 ground balls.

“Charlie is an extremely talented lacrosse player and his commitment to Hofstra University is a testament to his natural born athleticism and hard work he has put into his development,” said Harbeson. “From freshman year to now, Charlie has been one of the keys to our team's success. He has started every game that he has played at Brophy and has guarded our opponent's top offensive player. Charlie stands out as one of the most gifted lacrosse players to emerge from Arizona. He leads a Brophy lacrosse defense that has not allowed more than 10 goals in an Arizona Lacrosse League game since May 7th, 2021. With Charlie back for a full season of lacrosse, we look for him to continue to lead our defense and I do not doubt that with Charlie focusing on one sport in college his game will continue to flourish and reach new heights.”

This fall, he has led the football team to a winning record in 2023 and a playoff trajectory for the second consecutive season.

“We are winning games,” said McGinnis. “It is a big difference from last year. It means a lot to me in my senior year. It is special now that is right upon me. I want to finish out on top.”

While football still has the regular season and postseason ahead, McGinnis will return to the field with his lacrosse teammates in the spring.

“I am looking forward to being with the guys again and winning another state championship,” said McGinnis. “The out-of-state games are my favorite, and I enjoy the opportunity to play some good competition outside Arizona. I have been on varsity for four years now. It is unbelievable to think this is my last year. It has been a huge part of my life.”

McGinnis plays long stick for the Broncos.

“The main goal of playing long stick is playing defense and stopping the other team from scoring,” said McGinnis. “It is a physical sport, and I have a six-foot pole. I want to take the ball away and get the ball back to the offense and improve our chance of scoring. I think I bring my height and size to the lacrosse field. I am easy to see. I have quick feet and playing football has helped me. I hope I bring leadership. I am one of the louder guys out there and help coordinate the defense to be in good situations.”

McGinnis will participate in the Brophy Collegiate Signing Day Celebration on November 8.