« Lacrosse 2020

Brandon Salvatore

School
Cornell University
Position
Long Stick Midfield
Major
Hotel and Restaurant Administration

Classroom

Salvatore has been devoted to his academics, holding a 3.562 cumulative grade point average at Cornell as a hotel and restaurant administration major and real estate minor. He has taken pride in his studies, maintaining a high level of success in the classroom in one of Cornell’s most well-known, yet signature majors that is highly competitive and requires strict attention to detail.

His hard work in the classroom during his time at Cornell has been evident, as Salvatore already has a job lined up post-graduation. Next year, he plans to work at Newmark Knight Frank in New York City where he will advise clients on the sale of hotels around the country. After interning at Citi Bank last summer and assisting with their real estate finance, Salvatore is adequately prepared and eager to begin his career at one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms.

Character

Salvatore is one of the faces who will lead the Big Red in battle this season, being elected as one of the team’s captains for the 2019-20 campaign. It might just be Salvatore’s journey to the top that makes him so well-equipped to lead.

During his senior year of high school, Salvatore had received no Division I offers to play lacrosse collegiately and was planning to take his talents to Division III Amherst College. With time to receive a Division I call ticking down, Salvatore’s phone rang. It was Cornell, offering him a spot on the roster only after an incoming recruit had decommitted. While this was the call Salvatore had been hoping for, nothing was promised, and he was told that he would most-likely be a role player during his career. But with all the odds against him, Salvatore worked hard and proved everyone wrong, becoming a vital member of the Big Red lacrosse program.

Since arriving on campus, Brandon has worked for, and earned, the respect of his teammates through his devotion to the program’s cultural standards, love for those around him, and desire to compete and improve. He has consistently shown a competitive drive and exhibited selflessness, even through adversity. As a leader, his focus and intensity in holding his teammates accountable has elevated the team’s productivity and performance. During his tenure at Cornell, he has been an integral part of establishing a winning culture, and that is rooted in him being a great and competitive teammate.

Community

Salvatore’s positive impact has extended beyond the field and into the surrounding community. For the last two years, Salvatore has organized the “21 Run” 5K, an event which has direct ties to the Cornell men’s lacrosse team through the Mario St. George Boiardi Foundation while also positively influencing the Ithaca community. For those unfamiliar, George Boiardi was a four-year starter and team captain for the Big Red before tragically passing on the playing field in 2004. He has become the driving force behind the Cornell men’s lacrosse program, and by organizing the “21 Run,” which benefits the Mario St. George Boiardi Foundation, Salvatore is continuing to carry on Boiardi’s legacy.

All proceeds from the 21 Run go to the Ithaca Family Reading Partnership to provide opportunities for future leaders. Salvatore has taken this goal to heart, as he has been a constant participant in Cornell’s Big Red Readers program, where he travels to elementary schools and reads to the students. Not only does he enjoy promoting learning, but the interaction he has with these children often makes their days.

Salvatore is also one of three undergraduate student leaders for the Cornell Lacrosse Association. He has been key in helping to facilitate the CLA’s alumni networking program, helping the underclassmen on the Big Red lacrosse team connect with Cornell alumni that can help them pursue their passions. Salvatore has helped his younger peers create resumes and apply to jobs, taking interest in his teammates’ successes beyond the field of play.

Competition

Salvatore’s accomplishments on the playing field are just as impressive. Following the 2019 season, he was named Honorable Mention All-America by both the USILA and Inside Lacrosse, in addition to being a unanimous first-team All-Ivy League selection. This marked Salvatore’s second All-Ivy recognition of his career, as he also earned honorable mention distinction in 2018.

At the close of the 2019 season, Salvatore ranked 12th in the nation in caused turnovers per game (2.13) while leading Cornell with 32 caused turnovers, the third most in Big Red history for a single season and just two off of the school record.

A four-year starter, Salvatore enters the 2020 campaign having been named a preseason honorable mention All-American and preseason All-Ivy by Inside Lacrosse.