Jack O'Rourke: The consummate professional and loyal leader

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- With every successful high school athletic team, you can bet the main reason for the success is because the culture is solid. How do you achieve exceptional culture? Well, you can start with the school. In Texas, the UIL (University Interscholastic League) has a statewide competition called the Lone Star Cup and every classification has rankings and awards. The Woodlands High School is at the top or real close to the top every year. The school has won the large school division more than any other school since the inception of the Lone Star Cup.

If you play sports at The Woodlands High School, you are engulfed in that tradition as you are expected to not only compete at a high level, but win...and win a lot. Although lacrosse is a club sport at the school and thus their results are not calculated into the Lone Star Cup formula, the lacrosse teams (Varsity A, Varsity B and JV) are subjected to the same rules as all UIL sports at the school such as grades, behavior, demand for sportsmanship, etc... Because of this, the players are right in the mix and expected to be as successful as all of the UIL sponsored sports.

This just in...The Woodlands has not lost to a Houston area lacrosse team since 2012. They have also been in the top six of the final rankings of the THSLL (Texas High School Lacrosse League) 'A' division going back to the mid 2000's.

The school has a lot to do with the lacrosse organization's success. Is that the only factor when culture is being discussed? Not by a longshot.

Another huge factor is support from parents. The Woodlands High School lacrosse parents are all in and 100% supportive of the team and in particular, the coaches. You can not win and be successful with half the parents slamming the team and coaches. These athletes need support from home. Here in The Woodlands, they get it ten-fold.

However, we are still not to the most important factor for a team's solid culture. The biggest reason for a team's success is senior leadership. When talking The Woodlands High School lacrosse, you cannot start up a conversation about senior leadership without talking about Jack O'Rourke. Some players and even captains can lead by example, but are not tremendous at the intangibles such as getting teammates fired up with their rhetoric.

You want a leader that is the total package? I give you Jack O'Rourke. He is an effective communicator, possesses integrity and promotes teamwork in his actions and his words. He's a people person from the get-go and can deal with and relate to the various personalities on a team.

Without any further ado, let's learn about Jack O'Rourke in this week's Woodlands Online Q & A...

1) How long have you been playing lacrosse? How did you become interested in lacrosse?

I’ve been playing lacrosse since the second-grade. Growing up in NY, a hot-bed for the game, there were flyers, clinics, and teams being advertised all over the place. My Dad signed me up with a program called Hillcrest Lacrosse in Westchester County. I was in their developmental program for a year and then played on the third-grade competitive team and I was really hooked.

My family made an active effort to research lacrosse programs in the Houston area before we moved here in 2014. The Woodlands was by far the best choice for our family to live and had a premiere lacrosse program with an excellent reception which was very fortunate for me and my brother.

2) Describe the 2022-23 TWHS men's varsity lacrosse team and why you enjoy playing for the Highlanders?

Throughout my time with The Woodlands lacrosse, I’ve played with some really great players, but I can honestly say the Varsity Team this year is the best team I’ve played on. The commitment, skill, and talent of our offense whether it’s seniors, juniors, sophomores and even freshman is truly unmatched across the state of Texas and I’m really blessed to be on the same field with these guys.

On our defense, we have toughness everywhere. Each player on our defensive unit is reliable, hardworking and possesses the ability to pick up myself and the offense whenever we’re down. Finally, our coaches...

Coach Demaio has truly changed my game. I’m more confident than ever on offense and our whole group is playing more cohesively and selflessly. I admire him and his passion for the game and really appreciate what he brings to our program. Coach Dolan makes everyone smile. He is really working magic with our defense. He always brings great insight and planning for a path to victory - even when we may not necessarily match up evenly with our competition. (Especially the game against his alumni program - Garden City). I’m really so lucky to be around these great coaches and awesome teammates.

3) Do you like TWHS and why?

I really like the Woodlands High School. It’s huge! There are approximately 1100 kids at every grade level, all uber competitive and striving for the same or similar academic and extracurricular goals. Because of that, being a student here hasn’t always been easy. But if there’s one thing the The Woodlands High has taught me, it’s that nothing is just handed to you in the real world. Someone is always working, watching, and competing as hard as you are. Patience, organization and the ability to handle adversity, will not only help you get through the day, but really are necessary for your own personal success. I’ve been lucky to be a Student Council officer and had a great time with our school’s Student Support efforts. I’ve also been blessed with great friends and countless memories. Through the good days and bad days of High School, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

4) You'll be attending Bentley in Massachusetts. Do you know what your field of study will be?

I’m really excited to be going to school in the Northeast and start the next chapter of my life at Bentley University. While playing lacrosse, I hope to major in either Quantitative Sciences or Corporate Accounting and Finance and continue my studies in the Honors College and pursue an MBA.

5) What do you hope to be doing after you graduate from college?

Bentley has a long running and respected track record for job placement in the financial world. When I graduate, I hope to enter the Wall Street/Corporate Banking field where I can live and work in either Boston or New York City.

6) What do you enjoy doing away from school and sports?

Outside of hanging out with my friends and playing pick-up (lacrosse) on the weekend, I love a round of ping pong with my brother. I’ve also recently taken up golf and really like it. I’m nowhere near good yet, but I think this summer I’ll get more opportunities to work on my game.

7) Who is your role model for lacrosse?

My role model for lacrosse has always been Casey Powell.

I remember being in fourth-grade and attending an All-Star lacrosse event in Houston where Casey was coaching a clinic. I walked up to him to ask for an autograph while wearing my practice pinnie which was #22 and he said “Hey you’re 2-2 Cool, that’s my number!” After that I’ve followed him, his career and his brand ever since. Part of what I love about lacrosse is how popular, yet still accessible all the pros are. It’s very rare to have that kind of experience with professional athletes.

8) Describe how supportive your family is in everything you do in your life.

My family is everything to me. My mom is just awesome and always makes sure I have what I need to be successful. She’s an ear for my problems and always has great ideas and easy fixes to any series of problems and challenges I might be facing throughout my day/week. My dad is so hardworking and generous. He always knows how to pick me up, make me laugh and fired up for both school and sports. He keeps me honest and grounded. Both my parents are incredibly understanding and supportive in all areas of my life. They’re a true force in my spirit and always a part of any accomplishment I may achieve. Last but not least, my younger brother Will. My number one fan and my best friend. He’s at every game and is just an all-around great kid. He’s also an awesome lacrosse player! I’ll miss him a lot when I leave for school in a couple of months.

9) If you were given a million dollars and had to give it to one charity, which one would you choose and why?

I think I'd donate the entirety of it to The American Cancer Society. Sadly, like many families Cancer has touched both my Mom and Dad's sides of the family in one form or another. If I could donate a million dollars, I would hope that it could help contribute to a cure for future generations.

10) Three things that people don't know about you.

Hmmm, well, I think people would be surprised to know that in addition to being Irish (O’Rourke) I’m Portuguese (my mom's side).

My close friends know this, but I have a serious hard time waking up from deep sleep… Like multiple alarms, on full volume still might not wake me.

Finally, I don’t like eggs… I wish I did. Tried them every way… just can’t.

11) When is the last time you danced? Where? You any good?

Lol Probably this week in my kitchen with my family… Growing up we always had music playing and the occasional dance party in the kitchen and from time to time, we still do. I’m ok…

12) What is your favorite song in your phone now? Do you have a favorite group?

Hmmm I listen to a lot of music, all different types. Right now I’ve got a running playlist that includes a lot of Kanye, Jay Z, and Offset.

13) Your favorite movie of all time.

Ugh… so tough… Loved all the Marvel stuff growing up, but honestly any Will Ferrell movie always gets me. Step Brothers, Talladega Nights, the list is endless. He’s hilarious.

14) If you were sentenced to death but you were allowed to go on one last date, who would the lucky girl be?

My honest and safest answer… the last woman I would have dinner with would be my mom. ;)

The Woodlands High School Lacrosse Head Coach, Anthony Demaio shares his thoughts about O'Rourke...

'Jack is a guy that has been instrumental in the success of our team thus far this season. In the short time of knowing Jack, I've learned that he has all the intangibles to be successful at the next level and whatever he chooses to do after his time in college comes to a close. His leadership and approach to his senior season has been a vital key for us down the stretch. Jack has been awesome to coach and be around on a daily basis and is always trying to find a way to get better. He cares for his teammates and has stepped up as a leader that everyone on the team respects and enjoys being around. I have never had to question his effort and his want to get better every day. He is a determined kid and always has goals. To me, that is something you can't teach and will serve him well for the rest of his life. Jack, as well as the rest of the senior class I wish I had more time with. But they are ready. It will be sad to see them go but Jack and the rest of his senior teammates will be successful in whatever they choose to do down the road.'

One thing I've noticed about Jack is he is very loyal. You couldn't find a better friend to go to the mat with/for you. A family source indicated he's been like that from a very young age. He loves his friends and teammates like they are family. For example, for his sixth birthday the family had a themed party at a local kid's gym with 15 or so friends/classmates. The party organizer got all the kids together and said...Now Jack, you pick your best friend here and you'll get to do the first activity.' Without even blinking an eye, Jack responded...'But they're all my best friends.' The party organizer was stunned and parents started to shed a tear...and ALL of the kids felt special and wanted. There is no doubt that is the exact reason why Jack answered that way.

Jack, his teammates and coaches are not finished yet. They've won some huge games that will be remembered forever and are nationally ranked. However, they know none of that means jack-squat unless they keep proving themselves on into the playoffs. Rankings are just numbers on bandwidth and don't add up to anything. What's great about Jack and the team as a whole is they know this.

Expect more great things from Jack and The Woodlands High School lacrosse team.

One thing is for sure...if The Woodlands satisfies all of their goals, Jack will celebrate by dancing in the kitchen with his family.

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