Being all he can be
Ray Glass ’24 brings loyalty, duty, respect to the men’s lacrosse team, Army ROTC
By Matthew Wright '24 on MArch 16, 2023
Ray Glass wears many hats. One happens to be a helmet. The Towson University junior studies criminal justice, plays defensive midfielder for the men’s lacrosse team and is an Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) cadet through the school’s partnership with Loyola University Maryland.
The Perry Hall, Maryland, native learned discipline and determination at a young age, allowing him to succeed in all three areas now.
“My parents have instilled in us to finish what you start and try your best,” he says. “You definitely have to be organized, self-disciplined. I have to stay positive and on track because if I fall behind in one activity, then something else will go wrong.”
His work ethic has made an impression. TU men’s lacrosse head coach Shawn Nadelen says he looks for not only hard workers but competitors and young men with high character. He believes Glass has all of those traits and more.
“If you were to put all of that into a mold, that would be Ray Glass,” he says. “He’s a guy you’re excited to see every day because you know he’s going to give you and the team everything that he has. And he does it with a smile on his face.”
What Glass lacks in size, standing at 5 feet, 9 inches and weighing 180 pounds, he makes up for in effort. Nadelen says Glass doesn’t let his build deter him.
“He’s always been a maximum effort guy. He’s not 6 foot 4 inches, 220 pounds, but he’s probably just as strong. He’s a guy I know we can go to battle with and trust, and he’s going to give you everything.”
That sustained drive and determination helped him get on the field his junior year after two seasons of sparse playing time.
“He’s someone that came in and had a lot of work to do to step on the field, and now he’s a player for us,” Nadelen says. “The game was a little fast for him as a freshman. His stick wasn’t where it needed to be. But his dedication to film, asking questions and working on skills on his own time has put him in a position to play.”
That hard work doesn’t stop in between terms. Glass spent this past summer at Fort Knox in Kentucky, taking part in Basic Camp, a 32-day, intensive training event that focuses on mental and physical training evolutions.
Glass will be back this summer for 35 days at Advanced Camp, where his mental and physical skills will be put to the test to prepare him for leading soldiers as an officer in the Army after college.
Upon completion of ROTC, he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant, where he will lead soldiers daily. Glass’ teammates see that leadership already.
“As a freshman, I look up to the older guys,” says Rocco Mareno, a faceoff/midfielder. “Me and Ray, as the season and the year have gone on, have gotten closer and closer. He cares about everybody. He’s determined. You can tell when we’re working out, he’s always one of the ones working the hardest.”
While Glass has a bright future as an officer in the military, he is cognizant of the opportunity he has now. He says TU has played a major part in helping him be close to family while pursuing his love of lacrosse and his future career.
“Towson has allowed me to make friendships that will last a lifetime. The teachers, advisers, teammates and coaches have played a role in my success as a student-athlete. I am honored and proud of the experience.”