« Lacrosse 2019

John Wagner

School
Marquette University
Position
Attack
Major
Finance and Private Equity Banking

Classroom

John Wagner is the reigning BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award winner for men’s lacrosse and the first junior to win the award since 2010. He carries a 3.87 grade-point average in finance and private equity banking and is a member of Marquette’s prestigious Applied Investment Management (AIM) Program. To participate in the program, Wagner was chosen by a panel of professionals to collectively manage over $2 million of MU’s endowment across equity and fixed income securities. He is a three-time member of the BIG EAST’s All-Academic Team as well as a College of Business Dean’s List and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll designee. Wagner has had the top GPA on the MU men’s lacrosse roster for three semesters and is a national member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.

Character

Wagner has pushed himself to reach his full potential since the moment he stepped on campus. Whether it’s the classroom, on the field or around the community, he has made his mark at Marquette. He quietly does his job and leads by impressive example. Regardless of any accolades he has piled up, Wagner has remained even-keeled and steadfast to his approach to the game and relationships with teammates and others around campus. He goes out of his way to give help where it is needed, even without the opportunity for recognition.

Community

Wagner has been active in community service initiatives during his time at Marquette, including working with the Milwaukee Eagles wheelchair lacrosse team. The Eagles, part of the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association and founded through the Zablocki VA Medical Center, are a team of disabled and able-bodied veterans and civilians. Wagner has worked at the nearby Milwaukee Rescue Mission and has helped grow the sport of lacrosse by teaching it at the Milwaukee Academy of Science. He has also been involved in Al’s Run for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and various lacrosse camps and clinics.

Competition

Wagner was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection as a junior in 2018 after leading the Golden Eagles with 30 goals and 39 points. All five of his game-winners last season came in the final 10 seconds of regulation or overtime, and his 15 goals (five games) in BIG EAST play were a league high. Wagner earned US Lacrosse National Player of the Week honors last season on April 16 and was a two-time BIG EAST Attack Player of the Week. The 2018 All-BIG EAST Championship Team selection is just the fourth MU player to reach 30 goals in a single season and is a unanimous All-BIG EAST Preseason Team selection in 2019. Wagner is fifth in program history in career goals scored and enters his senior season 21 away from the No. 2 all-time spot.