Scholar Stories: Pandemic Uncertainty Leads Papa to U-M, Excitement for His Future
4/14/2021 12:05:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse, Features
Continuing the series that began in 2016-17, each Wednesday MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Absopure.
By Jack Pennington
It was the beginning of July, and University of Michigan men's lacrosse player Tyler Papa had nowhere to go. In the literal sense, who did? It was the middle of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and America was still in lockdown. Papa faced a lockdown on two fronts: one from the pandemic, and one in his lacrosse career.
Four months earlier, Papa, a two-time All-American, had finished part of a fourth season at Limestone College, a South Carolina school known in the lacrosse world as a Division II powerhouse. Papa was a pivotal cog in the program's success, scoring 126 career goals, which was good enough to rank in the top 10 all-time in Limestone's storied history. As a senior, he was on his way to his best season yet, averaging four goals per game (tied for second in the nation) when the pandemic hit in mid-March. The remainder of his senior season was canceled.
When Papa's career was abruptly cut short, he knew he wanted to keep playing lacrosse. At the same time, suddenly the challenge of competing at the highest level of the sport collegiately seemed possible due to a new, pandemic-related NCAA rule that allowed seniors like him to continue their careers -- even at other institutions if they filed the right digital paperwork
"When COVID hit, I was ready to move on and entered the NCAA transfer portal," Papa said. "I was trying to make the move to D1."
But Papa would be in the transfer portal for four months.
"It was getting towards June and July, and I didn't know where I was going to school, Papa said. "I was kind've panicking."
Papa was in a situation that a lot of transfers have faced. While the NCAA had granted an extra year of eligibility to every athlete whose sport was canceled due to COVID-19, the transfer portal -- known for unpredictability -- was more hectic than it had ever been.
Luckily, Papa had help from a friend. Michigan sophomore standout Josh Zawada knew Papa and forwarded his film to Michigan head coach Kevin Conry.
"He passed my film along and five minutes later, coach Conry was calling me." Papa said with a smile.
Papa had found the direction he was seeking. Next, the application process to Michigan started.
"I worked for two months on my application." said Papa, "I was interested in the Social Work Masters program at Michigan."
The field had become an interest of Papa's, and he credits his time at Limestone for giving him a greater appreciation for helping others.
"While at Limestone, the team worked with someone that has spina bifida disease," Papa explained. "We became friends with him and helped guide him through his life."
Spina bifida disease is a neural tube defect that can cause damage to the spinal cord and nerves.
Papa said the experience helped shape his thoughts about a post-lacrosse career, and he was certain that the instruction he would receive at Michigan -- not to mention the benefits of being part of the greater Michigan community after he graduated -- would serve him well.
"I was praying for two months that I'd get in," he said.
Papa was accepted into the Master of Social Work program and expects to graduate next year.
Upon arrival in Ann Arbor, there were other surprises for Papa. A native New Yorker, he had been to dozens of college campuses, especially as an athlete. But he had never set foot in the state of Michigan.
"Ann Arbor is the best college town I've been to," Papa said. "Ever."
Ann Arbor was not the only thing that was eye-opening as Papa began his Michigan experience. Limestone College is a private school with an undergraduate enrollment of just over 2,000. Stepping into a school with nearly 50,000 students was a shock.
"Jumping into a bigger school, it was a little nerve wracking," Papa said, crediting the many assets available at Michigan for his acclimation.
"The amount of resources you have is amazing," Papa said. "Just within the lacrosse program alone we have a director of operations, a communications person, several athletic trainers, doctors, tutors, counselors, nutritionists. There's a lot available to us to get through our daily student life. That was huge for me, especially on the academic side of it."
Papa specifically referenced his academic counselors for getting him on track at the beginning of his Michigan career.
"I had never been here, I had never used Canvas, I didn't know how to get to my classes." Papa laughed, "We had an academic advisor, Sean Edgerton, who was on it right away and helped me with all of that."
Papa not only has made the adjustment academically, he has been a quick learner on the lacrosse field as well. Papa has been a crucial contributor in his first season playing Division I lacrosse, aiding in the Wolverine defensive effort, while also contributing six points on the season. Papa has scored in each of the last four Michigan games, including two important wins over Johns Hopkins and Penn State.
"The schedule is awesome here," he said. "We play on television against five of the best teams in the country every single game. It's a big step up from what I was used to." he said.
Papa has loved his time at Michigan so far, and looks forward to his next steps.
"I plan on finishing my degree next year, I would love to be part of the team still and stay around the sport," Papa said. "We'll see what's next, and I'm excited for it."
