Seattle Starz defenseman Henry Serr is living out his childhood dream. Having grown up with both of his parents being University of Michigan alums, Henry says he was “brainwashed” into loving the Maize & Blue at an early age. The Wolverines did not have DI lacrosse when Henry first fell in love with the University, but he always envisioned himself going to school there. Next fall, Serr will don the famed Wolverine helmet and play lacrosse for a Michigan program that is on the rise in the Big Ten.
Henry’s lacrosse story reads like many players’ stories who grew up on the West Coast. Seattle born and bred, Henry played baseball as a young boy, but quit in 3rd grade because “I couldn’t hit the ball off the tee, and I was bored,” said Henry.
Henry had never heard of lacrosse when his dad, Bob took him to his first lacrosse practice shortly after giving up baseball. Henry recalls “kicking and screaming” on the way to practice, and that he “did not want to go whatsoever.” But his dad told Henry that, “I wasn’t allowed to sit on the couch and be lazy, and that I was going to love lacrosse,” Henry recalled.
Henry Serr started playing lacrosse in 3rd grade.
Bob Serr remembers that trip to the first lacrosse practice similarly, saying “I believe in what sports can do for kids. It’s good to #1 be active, and #2 learn team discipline and self-confidence and to have successes and failures and learn how to overcome failures.”
Henry recalls falling in love with lacrosse along with his friends who were also at their first practice even before the practice ended. He said, “We loved the physicality and speed. It was much more fun to play than baseball. As we started playing we fell in love with the sport right away.” Like so many other young lacrosse players, a sudden love for the game quickly grew into an obsession.
But Bob Serr had never played lacrosse before. He credits Larry Mauer, now a coach for the Seattle Starz, for helping teach he and other fathers the game. “They brought in a bunch of kids and parents that had never experienced lacrosse,” said Bob. “They taught us all at the same time. They put sticks in our hands, taught us how to field ground balls and how to throw and how to coach our sons. We spent a few weeks in a warehouse in February before we hit the field that first spring. I started coaching Henry’s teams as a volunteer and helped at every practice.”
Serr worked his way into become a star Defenseman
It was a big deal for Henry when he made the Starz Elite Team as a freshman. “Playing against a lot higher level talent made me realize I loved those close games and going up against kids that are supposed to beat me,” said Henry. “I prefer going up against someone that is supposed to beat me than going up against someone that I am supposed to beat. I like having to prove myself.”
Henry yearned to prove himself to top level college programs. He kept working hard on his game, but college recruiters were slow to take notice. “I didn’t fully develop as a player until the summer before my senior year,” said Henry. “I was starting to feel like my dream of playing in college wasn’t going to pan out. But then I began to believe that I could actually do this.”
Bob Serr (left) says Henry wanted to play football to get tougher for lacrosse.
Henry’s belief led to increased interest from college coaches and eventually Henry’s dream school took notice. Bob Serr recalled sitting next to Henry when Michigan Head Coach Kevin Conry first called his son. “I’m a pretty emotional guy and I got a little emotional at that moment,” Bob said. “Playing at Michigan was such a singular focus for Henry. For him to get that call was pretty amazing.”
“I felt like I was on another level at that point,” said Henry. “It made me so happy just to hear Coach Conry say he was interested in me because that is what I worked towards for all this time.”
That initial interest quickly led to an offer from Coach Conry to play for the Wolverines. Henry accepted and is set to enroll in Ann Arbor in the fall of 2020.
Bob Serr emphasizes that a ton of hard work both academically and athletically is absolutely necessary for anyone who wants to play college lacrosse. “Henry talked to a lot of college lacrosse coaches, and the first thing the coaches ask is, ‘how are your grades?’” said Bob. “Everyone knows that none of it matters if you can’t get into the school. It’s Henry’s discipline… doing work, staying on top of things. Doing it both in the classroom and on the field.”
Henry gets excited when thinks about becoming a part of the Wolverines team. “I’m very excited for the brotherhood that you jump straight into,” said Henry. “You’re already part of a strong group of kids.”
Bob is proud of his son, and excited for him to attend the same University that he and his wife attended. “He gets to wear that (famous Michigan) helmet and wear the jersey he always wanted to wear,” said Bob. “He gets to go play on a field with a big Block M. I’m excited for his opportunity.”