Rex Kesselring
Episode 385
22 JUNE 2026
He just won a national championship last month as a member of the University of Tampa men’s lacrosse team, leading the team in the overtime win against Adelphi with four goals, plus adding one assist. He appeared in all 23 of his team’s games in 2026, finishing second on the team with 59 points, with his 40 goals being tied for the second most on the Spartans. This season he earned USILA All-American Honorable Mention and USILA All-South Region Honorable Mention honors in addition to being named to the Sunshine State Conference All-Championships Team and 2026 Second Team All-SSC. He has one more year left at UTampa and played lacrosse in high school as well.
Notable guest quotes:
“It’s always been a prevalent aspect in our lives, you know, born into a Catholic family… we all attended Catholic school from preschool until fifth grade.”
“My dad is one of five brothers; he’s from Syracuse New York and he coached and played all throughout his career up to the collegiate level. He won two national championships – one as a coach, one as a player – and so I think a stick was one of the first things to touch my hand after being born.”
“I always grew up playing CYO for the church league basketball and once I got to high school I decided to pick it up and play my senior year because I always loved doing it and I would always play with all my buddies who were … on the team and … only makes me a better athlete. So, I suited up and I got to win a sectional championship.”
“Got injured a little bit in a preseason game … and … just sent me down a spiral of not being able to have the confidence in myself and … I kind of veered away from lacrosse. I told my dad I hated it … I just became very distant with the sport … and just wanted nothing to do with it.”
“I always had the faith, but it was a matter of am I just speaking it or am I actually believing it?”
“That’s really what sparked my faith into it throughout the whole year. The decisions were external, but I’m praying every day just simple prayers and just … guidance and clarity and if it’s meant to be, let it be, Lord.”
“Something that really was prevalent since the day I stepped foot on campus was the FCA group and … they took my faith to the next level.”
“The prayer circle after a game it’s not something you see every team do, but they made it feel so normal.”
“It’s one thing to go out there on the field and play together but when you’re bonded by the Lord it’s just so much greater and you really do feel the difference.”
“Just from the faith aspect is just constantly praying; wake up, pray. If I ever found myself starting to overthink or get anxiety, just pray, just find comfort in His plan and find comfort in whatever is meant to be will be.”
“I genuinely prayed it every single day and just prayed to God for the opportunity to glorify His name on the biggest possible stage that I can using the sport of lacrosse.”
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