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John M. Valestra

Hall of Fame

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Inducted 1996

College

Rutgers University

John was part of the lacrosse championship tradition at Sewanhaka High School in 1958 and 1959 as a midfielder. In 1960 he was selected an All-Scholastic player and chosen to play in the annual Nassau County All-Star game as an attackman.

John attended Rutgers University, where he was a three-time All-American, earning first team honors in 1963 and 1964 and third team in 1962. In 1964 as lacrosse team captain, he was honored as team MVP and Rutgers University Athlete of the Year. He led the team in assists in 1962, 1963 and 1964, and on two different occasions, he had 11-point games. John represented Rutgers in the 1964 North/South Collegiate All-Star game.

John played club lacrosse for 22 years with Chophouse/Maylair LC, Orange County LC and Los Angeles LC. He has been voted California Club Player of the Year four times, and California Club Lacrosse Most Valuable Attackman eight times. John was elected to the Long Island Metro Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1990, and to the Greater Los Angeles Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2001.

John was inducted as a truly great player.