Michael Altmann’s final go-around with the Hofstra Pride means a lot to him; especially after his 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
Michael was adopted at two months of age and grew up in Severna Park, Maryland with his brother, Nick, and parents, Lawrence and Mary Altmann.
The parents introduced the brothers to lacrosse and taught them the game.
“I had a stick but then I started playing organized lacrosse at around four or five years old in Scoopers where everyone was running around and chasing the ball,” Altmann said.
Although Altmann was developing his love for lacrosse, it didn’t stop him from other sports too. He played football in the fall and chipped in 17 goals and 32 assists for the hockey team. He was an All-American along with being an All-Maryland first-team pick as a senior.
Altmann was successful on the field, but his recruitment for college lacrosse wasn’t exactly what he expected it to be. His older brother was a member of the Pride men’s lacrosse team and Michael had an idea for where he wanted to play. He committed to Hofstra before his senior year in high school.
“I was a late-bloomer. I’m forever grateful to Coach [Seth] Tierney to play at Hofstra,” Altmann said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Altmann came to Hofstra University in the fall of 2016 as a freshman. His teammates helped him get acclimated to the faster pace of the New York City metropolitan area. He was roommates with Eric Wenz, and he developed a bond with classmates Riley Forte, Ryan Tierney and Bobby Casey. Upperclassmen like Josh Byrne and Brendan Kavanagh always made sure to include Michael and help him feel welcomed and comfortable within the team.
“I remember as a freshman after a team meeting, I think I was one of the last guys in the locker room and I was getting ready to go back to the dorms and Josh Byrne asked me if I needed a ride,” Altmann said. “Chopping it up with him during the car ride meant a lot.”
Altmann appreciated his time with his teammates throughout his freshman year, but made sure to be ready for his first lacrosse season. With Liam Blohm suffering an injury, Altmann saw his playing time increase. He played in 12 games for Hofstra and he recorded his first collegiate point with an assist against NJIT.
His team finished 3-2 in conference but unfortunately lost in the first round of the playoffs to the University of Massachusetts Minutemen on a last-second shot. Altmann used the loss as motivation for his future during his time at Hofstra.
“We were one of the hottest teams in the country that year. We were riding on guys like Josh Byrne and Ryan Tierney,” Altmann said. “We had a really strong defense with Tanner Griffin, Brett Osman, Michael Diener and a great goalie in Jack Concannon. We brought that bad taste in our mouths over to my sophomore year.”
Towards the end of Altmann’s freshman year, he sustained a back injury while working out. He managed to play through the injury during the season and hoped to recover over the summer. In the fall of his sophomore year, he had to have a microdiscectomy to adjust his back. Luckily for him, he managed to play in 13 regular-season games for the Pride. The team was defeated by UMass once again in the semifinals.
“Losing to them a second year in a row was tough,” Altmann said. “There is definitely more intensity heading into those games. It was unfortunate for the seniors at the time. It was definitely heartbreaking.”
After two tough ends to his first seasons, Altmann was always ready to make a significant impact on the team. In his junior campaign, he had two goals and an assist while also being 31st in the country with 23 caused turnovers. The repetitions and the practices will always stick out to him as he improved heavily.
“I’ve got to give credit to the scout guys. They’re going to give you a good look at what you’re going to cover on gameday,” Altmann said. “Guys like Joey Elarde, Liam Muldoon, Bryce Tolmie, Matt Elder, Nick Williams and James Kitchen all pushed me to be better and prepared for games.”
The Pride didn’t make the postseason in 2019, meaning Altmann had to wait until 2020 to lead his team to something memorable and special. He was named team captain for his senior season. He felt great about the roster and knew the team had the potential to go far. Throughout the first seven games of the season, he attributed three goals and four assists while picking up 25 ground balls.
The Pride were 4-3 after a 19-9 win against St. John’s University on March 10, 2020; but on the bus ride back, the COVID-19 pandemic began and changed the projection of Michael’s senior season.
“I looked across the aisle at Riley Forte and I said, ‘that’s the lacrosse game we played’ and it started to become a reality,” Altmann said. “It was kind of an eerie bus ride home. There were a lot of unknowns.”
The NCAA canceled the 2020 season due to the ongoing pandemic. It was a crushing feeling for Altmann, as he didn’t know what his future was in regards to his lacrosse career.
“Safety is the number one concern. It was heartbreaking as a senior; not knowing if you played your last game as a Hofstra men’s lacrosse player,” he said.
As time progressed, Altmann went home to see his family. With the talk of the NCAA granting college athletes another year of eligibility, he spoke to classmates Tierney, Forte and Casey about what the future may hold and if they will come back and get another chance for the Colonial Athletic Association championship as graduate students.
“Between Riley Forte, Bobby Casey and Ryan Tierney we had unfinished business and we all wanted to come back and suit up for the men’s lacrosse team again, try to win a championship, and leave a legacy,” Altmann said.
He didn’t think much about pursuing his master’s degree initially, but with another chance of eligibility and to learn he took it into deep consideration. He was supported by his parents who were proud of his viewpoint of life beyond college and what the degree could mean for his future. He also had conversations with head coach Seth Tierney about coming back.
“Coach T is very approachable with stuff like this. He agreed that coming back for a master’s might be a great opportunity,” Altmann said.
Altmann was the team captain once again for the 2021 season. He tries to be approachable for younger players either on the field or off the field. After seeing what guys like Byrne and Kavanaugh did to lead he tries to help his teammates as best as possible.
“You don’t have to wear a C on your jersey or have to be a captain to be a leader and I think we have a lot of guys in the locker room that are solid and h
elp the younger guys,” Altmann said. “That’s a part of having a good team, we have so many leaders. And we are more of a family more than a team.”
Altmann is appreciative of what Hofstra’s administration has done for him and the team he loves so much. The team gets tested daily and the coaches make sure to implement safety regulations for the players and staff. He’s thankful for the efforts of Jay Artinian along with Jimmy “Weights” Pendergrast.
The thing that Altmann misses about the normality of a season is team bonding and getting to know everyone. Due to COVID-19, there is a limited amount of time in the locker room and players don’t get to relax and hang out with one another. This is particularly difficult, as he looks at the team as more than just friends or teammates, he views them as family.
“Coach T is a father figure to me. We don’t always necessarily agree on everything but I know he sees potential in me. He’s one of the best coaches in the game I’d say,” Altmann said. “When the time comes, Riley Forte, Ryan Tierney and Bobby Casey are guys that are going to be a part of my wedding. Those are guys that would take their shirt off their back for me and I’d do the same for them. A friendship that would last a lifetime along with Joey Elarde, Dominic Prior, Michael Peco and Sean Paton. I’m forever grateful for my time here at Hofstra.”
He appreciates the inspiration and opportunities his mother and father have provided him with. “My mom and my dad are my number one supporters. I could play my best or worst game ever and they wouldn’t look at me any other way,” Altmann said. “They’ve been supportive of me with lacrosse and life in general.”
In the summer of 2020, Michael researched and was able to find his birth mother. He’s involved her and made her a part of his life. “I’m blessed as far as support from family. They’ve been there every step of the way,” Altmann said. “My mom, my dad and my birth mom are my biggest supporters on and off the lacrosse field. I’d like to give all credit … to them, my teammates and my coaches.
His nephew Ezra will be two years old in August and he’s excited to teach him lacrosse.
“In my future, I’d love the chance to help other African American young men enjoy the game I have a passion for,” Altmann said.
Michael plans to be a marketing coordinator at BUCH construction in his future. Lacrosse has taught him plenty of life skills and given him lifelong friends and opened great opportunities for him. He will always cherish his time at Hofstra University.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
