For this edition of 10 Questions, Katie Schubauer sits down with men’s lacrosse junior midfielder Roy Lang. They discuss the unlikely origin of his jersey number, this week’s upset win over No. 1 Syracuse and delve into Lang’s inner lax bro.

1. You are a junior on the men’s lacrosse team. What has Cornell lacrosse meant to you over the course of your college career?

Honestly, it’s meant the world to me. I never could have expected the family I’ve found here. Coming from California, it was a big transition. It was my first experience on the East Coast, and playing at such a higher level than what I was used to in high school lacrosse on the West Coast. Having some older guys (especially my freshman year) teach me how to go about growing up and becoming a man and doing things properly was incredible. Now, being a junior and showing that to younger kids is awesome. We talk about family, and I’m sure other programs talk about it too, but on our team it really is something unique. I couldn’t imagine going through college without being part of the team. 

How did you first get into lacrosse?

Well my dad picked it up in college. He played football in college — he was a big middle linebacker. His buddies were like ‘come try lacrosse’ and he loved it. So he got me started. He actually started our youth lacrosse in California. It was awesome. It was like five kids with hockey pads and a lacrosse stick. There was no league or anything. We’d just go outside and do ground ball drills, and then he built it up. Then in sixth grade, there was a league so that’s when I finally started playing organized lacrosse. It’s great. I coach a lot in the summer and it’s just amazing to see how much it’s exploded. There are so many opportunities for kids that just didn’t exist when I was there. There’s a real passion for the game. I just love going back and teaching and coaching. 

Is your number, 48, a significant number?

Yeah, it’s my Net ID. 

That’s how you chose your college lacrosse number?

Well, I was 10 in high school, but that number is retired. Eamon McEneany ’77 passed away. So why not take 48? I love it, though. I wouldn’t change it for anything. 

Coming from San Francisco, what do you think about the weather here?

I don’t like it very much. It’s been a pretty big adjustment. Luckily my buddies, [junior midfielder] Chris Langton, [junior midfielder] Matt Restaino and [junior attacker] Scotty Austin have helped me adjust my wardrobe, but I still try and wear shorts whenever possible. 

2. Your younger sister, Kelly, is a sophomore on the Cornell women’s lacrosse team. What is it like going to school with your sister?

The absolute best. She’s my best friend at school. She gets me through everything. I was feeling pretty sick the other day and she just showed up in my house with two things of Nyquil, Robitussin, oranges, soup … She hangs out with me when I’m grumpy. Yesterday she got the team power bars and bananas. She just gets stuff done. I love her a lot. It was funny ... because when I went to talk to coach Tambroni on my visit, Kelly sat in on our meeting and we told him we wanted to go to school together and it ended up happening. They put her in touch with the women’s lacrosse coach, and she’s having a great season, too. I love watching her play. 

You also have a twin sister. What’s that like?

It’s great, too. I’m really close with her. She doesn’t play lacrosse, unfortunately. She’s kind of the trendy, cool one in the family. She’s a dancer and way littler than me, so no one ever thinks we’re related. She’s the attractive, cute one who’s smart — she doesn’t fit in [laughing]. 

3. Cornell beat No. 1 ranked Syracuse earlier this week. How did that feel?

Yeah, it was one of the best days of my life. There aren’t many days that go by where I don’t think about 2009 when we lost the National Championship in overtime. And then they took one from us last year, as well. To go up to their house and beat the No. 1 team in the country was a pretty good feeling. Especially with those guys. They have a great senior class and those are the same kids that have beaten us the past two years. It’s good to finally give them a taste of their own medicine. 

I bet the team celebrated pretty hard last night after such an incredible victory.

I mean most of us had class the next day, so the celebration was within moderation. We were celebrating a lot in the locker room. Everyone was dancing and stuff. [Junior goalie] Brian O’Donnell had some great dance moves that he showcased — [Senior defender] Max Feely as well. We all have a song we listen to by Bob Dylan called “Hurricane.” It’s the one song we all listen to. So we listened to that a couple times and then we usually go to 80s jam music like Phil Collins and “Stu-Stu-Studio.” Couple guys went over to the seniors’ house and it was a good time, but that’s over and it’s back to film work. 

What are your predictions for the rest of the season?

Our first goal is to go undefeated in the Ivy League. That’s where our focus is now, especially with Brown coming up. If we’re able to win Ivy, I’d expect a pretty high seed and the expectations are definitely Final Four, National Championship. We’ve been there the past two years and we haven’t won it. So why not this year? 

4. Some of your friends have mentioned several unique nicknames you have including “Wang,” “Chang” and “Lang-sauce.” Which of these do you prefer?

It’s really a day-to-day basis, depending on my Twitter account. Depending on how I’m feeling I’ll vary between the three, especially between “Chang” and “Wang.” Today it’s Chang, just so you know. 

I heard there is a “situation” every time you walk in the room these days. Can you explain that?

There is really not much explaining. It’s more of a visual thing. 

5. Do you have any irrational fears?

Yeah, pigeons. 

Where does that fear come from?

I don’t know. They just gross me out, man. 

Are there pigeons in San Francisco?

Yeah, unfortunately. 

What about eyeballs? 

Oh, yeah. I mean I’m fine with eyes. 

Well you seem to be making perfectly good eye contact.

No, no, it’s when I can see more of the normally shown part of the eye. Like the under region. It’s because when I was little, we went to the Academy of Sciences on a field trip. It was awesome and stuff and I would go up and stand in line at all the exhibits, and one of the exhibits was dissecting a cow eye and I was traumatized as a child because I was just standing there watching it. I didn’t even know what was going to happen. They just all of a sudden — CUT. I still remember it and I was probably around six. And ever since then I’ve just been really, really grossed out. 

That sounds traumatizing. 

Yeah, it was tough, man. Tough growing up with that. 

6. Would you consider yourself bullish about the economy?

I’m very bullish. My motto is “Stay smart, stay strong, stay bullish.” 

7. What do you want to do when you grow up?

Ultimately, teach history and coach lacrosse … raise a family. 

On the way, do you want to be a Barstool SmokeBro?

You know, if you guys happen to nominate me, that’d be the best way to get to me. I’d be pretty upset if someone nominated me for that. So if you want to do it, go for it. 

8. I understand that you are in a fraternity on campus. Is that correct?

Yeah. 

Do you have a position in the house?

I am the noble chaplain. 

What does that position involve?

It’s a pretty rigorous duty, actually. Mostly staying in touch with the alumni, presiding over team and fraternal meals, and I am also a member of the executive judicial committee. 

Do you hand out a lot of judicial reprimands?

Oh yeah. I take care of it if it needs to be taken care of. 

Would you consider yourself to be very fratty?

No, I would consider myself to be behind the likes of Max Feely and [senior midfielder] Jack Dudley in that regard. I’m more of an apprentice. 

9. Many of your teammates and friends have commented on your unique sense of hygiene. Please describe your weekly hygienic routines. 

Mostly just staying as hygienic as possible. Shampoo definitely, hair gel and deodorant. Also cologne — mostly cologne is big. Style — I’m really into style and fashion. I spend a lot of time getting my hair right in the morning. 

Well, it’s important to look good. 

Exactly. I’m actually growing my hair out right now for [junior midfielder] Chip Daugherty. He’s inspired me. 

He does have a lot of flow. 

Yeah, and he’s told me that, and I think it’s really working out for him. We actually had a party to honor his flow called Chip-a-Palooza. It was a good time. 

10. Which other Cornell team do you like to hang out with the most?

Football team. Football and hockey. They have a good social attitude. When given the opportunity, I prefer hanging out with the male sect of the population.