06/10/2026
When I visited Longwood, I was looking for a place that felt familiar but also gave me room to grow. I’m from Trumansburg, New York, a close-knit town near Ithaca, and I knew I wanted to get out of the cold but still be somewhere that felt personal. Through family friends here in Farmville, I was able to tour Longwood with Josh Blakely (director of Brock Transformative Learning) just a few weeks before I had to make my college decision. Right away, I loved campus, the class sizes and the feeling that I could build real relationships with professors and classmates. The Brock Experiences also stood out to me because they showed that learning here could happen far beyond the classroom.
Baseball has been a big part of my Longwood story. I started as a bullpen catcher for the team my first two years, and for the last two years I’ve served as director of on-field operations and analytics. I work with our catchers, help with the analytics side of the game and connect with scouts when players are being recruited. For someone who loves baseball, being that close to the program has been an incredible experience. One of my favorite memories was beating the No. 11 team in the country at home my freshman year and storming the field together afterward. It was a moment that showed the pride and grit this place has.
I’ve also found deep community through Young Life, where I’ve had the opportunity to work with high school students in the surrounding area and walk alongside them in life and faith. Being eight hours from home was not always easy, especially at first. The first few weeks can feel like summer camp, but then college becomes real and you start missing home. What helped me was finding another home here—through ministry, through friends, through families in town and through the relationships I built at Longwood.
Some of my best Longwood memories are tied to the everyday relationships that made this place feel like home. My roommate Blaise and I met during orientation when we were the only two history students in our time slot, and now we’ve graduated together. I’ve built friendships through intramurals, from basketball to softball to pickleball, and I’ve even built a fun relationship with one of the dining hall workers who always makes sure my pasta is cooked right. Those small moments matter. They’re part of what makes Longwood feel personal.
If I could give advice to someone considering Longwood, I’d say be fearless in what you try and be where your feet are. Join things, even if you’re not sure they’re for you. Let yourself be vulnerable enough to find what fits. When you choose a college, don’t spend your time wishing you were somewhere else. Dive into where you are. That’s what I tried to do here, and because of it, Longwood has become more than a school. It is a place where I’ve found community, purpose and a second home.
Lucas Taves '26
HOMETOWN: Trumansburg, NY
MAJOR: History
WHAT'S NEXT: Working in collegiate baseball
