March 19, 2008

QUEENS, N.Y. - Senior defender, Mike "Jukebox" or "Thunder" Luyster, checks in with RedStormSports.com before heading off to Bethlehem, Pa., to face the Lehigh Mountain Hawks on March 22.

The two-year captain, checking in at 6-4, 233, has been a starting defender since he was a freshman in 2005. A Hicksville, N.Y., native, Luyster was named the St. John's lacrosse team's Most Valuable Player as a sophomore.

As a junior, he was nationally ranked in the NCAA Top 100 in groundballs per game with 13.67. So far in 2008, he ranks as No. 183 of 500 Division I lacrosse players in the same category. Luyster has been solid on defense helping shut out the No. 17 Loyola Greyhounds in the third period of last week's 11-8 loss and has been a crucial part of the Red Storm's No. 8 ranking in man-down defense.

Luyster has played in all 43 games of his career and has started all but one.

"Mike brings a great physical presence to us defensively," said head coach Jason Miller. "He has great athleticism for his size and is very solid in the clearing game. Luyster matches up well against bigger stronger attackers and has the potential to be an all-league defender."

RedStormSports: What are your pregame rituals?
Mike Luyster: I listen to my MP3 player before the game to get into the zone. I listen to a lot of different music to get pumped like Busta Rhymes, AC/DC and Rise Against.

RSS: According to your bio, buffalo wings are your favorite food. Where is your favorite place to get buffalo wings?
Luyster: There is this place called "Fireside" around the block from my house in Hicksville [N.Y.]. They have the best wings. Also, my friend Ryan is the delivery boy for a place called "Wings" so he hooks me up. They aren't bad.

RSS: Who gave you the name "Juke Box"? Last week, Tim LaMare shared with us that you have another nickname: "Thunder" care to explain that a little?
Luyster: "Juke Box" was born from my Karaoke days. I gave Tim the nickname "Lightening" so I thought it would only be fitting to also have a "Thunder" on defense. We had a lot of fun with that over the last couple of years, but he mostly still goes by his nickname from Philadelphia; "Hot Sauce."

RSS: What other schools were you interested in and why did you finally chose to come to play for St. John's?
Luyster: St. John's and Army were pretty much the only schools I was seriously considering. I chose St. John's mainly for its proximity to the city, and I liked the idea of having the opportunity to build a lacrosse program.

RSS: What's you're favorite pregame meal and why?
Luyster: Any pasta dish to get some carbs in.

RSS: What is your favorite thing about playing for St. John's?
Luyster: My favorite thing about playing here is the guys on the team. We have been through a lot of adversity in building this program and we have stuck together through it all. We are a really tight knit group.

RSS: What movie are you looking forward to watching on the bus on the way to Lehigh this weekend?
Luyster: I would watch Miracle every game if it was up to me but if I had to change it up it would probably be Rocky II.

RSS: Who is the teammate you look up to most and why?
Luyster: Marty Taffet because he is taller than me. But seriously, I would say the senior class as a whole. We really have done something special here laying the groundwork down.

RSS: What's your favorite quote from Coach Miller?
Luyster: "Hard work will always beat talent when talent doesn't want to work hard."

RSS: What are you thoughts about traveling to Lehigh this weekend? Is there anything specific you personally want to accomplish? Recap the Loyola game, what can you do better this weekend?
Luyster: We played a great second half against Loyola, probably the best of the year. We need to put it all together against Lehigh. This team is hungry for a win and I think this is the week we are going to turn the corner and get that first win.

Check back with RedStormSports.com on March 31 to chat with senior attackman Tom Michaelsen!

To receive updated information on St. John's men's lacrosse or submit questions for the Red Storm Seniors please send an email to Kristin Duffy at stjcommunications@stjohns.edu with the subject "Men's Lacrosse E-mail."