There’s not much that Crista Samaras hasn’t accomplished in the lacrosse world.
She was a three-time collegiate All-American attacker at Princeton, a two-time Ivy League Player of the Year, and graduated in 1999 ranked first on both the school's career goals list (189) and career points list (270). She then played on two U.S. World Cup teams, winning gold in 2001 and silver in 2005.
In her adult life, she has been a collegiate coach, a broadcaster, and a businesswoman who built a huge club program. She has designed lacrosse equipment and apparel, and continues to serve as a successful motivational speaker.
In recognition, Samaras is being inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame on January 10 as one of eight members of the Class of 2025. Tickets are available for online purchase.
Samaras is a firm believer that those who have a platform must use it to impact others, on and off the field.
“That was my whole thing, to make an impact,” Samaras said. “When I played, I tried to unzip my soul and express with my spirit. I loved performing in front of people who were there for a show, and I feel like my game was flashy and fun and that it made people feel stuff. I wanted to fill people with the same joy that I got when I played.”
Samaras has carried that same mission into adulthood. As the CEO of Brave Enterprises, she speaks about issues related to the psychologies of fear and braveness, especially as it relates to young people. She loves connecting with people from all walks of life, while also staying engaged with those she has met through the lacrosse community.
“I'm still in touch with probably three to 10 lacrosse players every day of my life,” Samaras said. “Some are kids that I coached or women who played with me at some point and who I now mentor or seek advice from. This game is beautiful and it's so different than any other game because it comes with a community feel that just entrenches you all the more. I love that about lacrosse. It's not like any other sport in that way.”
One of the people Samaras stays connected to is Hall of Fame player Ryan Boyle, a fellow Princeton graduate who marvels at all that Samaras has accomplished.
“Crista's just a total rock star,” Boyle said. “She's iconic. She's fabulous. She's real and she's authentic and it all comes from a place of warmth and openness and acceptance and empathy where she just accepts you for who you are.”
Boyle says that all those qualities open the door to allowing Samaras to effectively impact so many people.
“I’m just so impressed by what she has done and how she's dedicated her life to the sport of lacrosse, to female empowerment, and to developing brave individuals. She really tries to help people realize their best selves,” he said.
One of six children, Samaras says that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She points to her mother Cathy, a pioneer in youth lacrosse, as the inspiration for all that she has accomplished.
“Being who she is, my mom made it so that I could forge this path because she forged so many paths that I would then follow,” Samaras said. “Probably the most lucky thing is that I was born to my mother, who was such a pioneer in so many ways, not only just in lacrosse, but as an entrepreneur, as a businesswoman and as an innovator. So, none of this award or honor comes because of my effort alone.”
Samaras becomes the third member of the Tiger women's lacrosse program to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining former Princeton head coach Chris Sailer and 2003 Tewaaraton Award winner Rachael Becker Dececco.
“I just fell in love with this sport from the ground up and sort of made it my life,” Samaras said. “I think there’s a special feeling you get when you rightfully catch the ball for the first time, or when you hit the top corner of a goal or make an interception. It’s really hard to describe what goes on in your body when you make that connection. But I think I just kept chasing that feeling my whole life.”
