With the spring sports season canceled at its very beginning (or before it even started, for some Union teams) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UnionAthletics.com will spend the next few months spotlighting many of the Union seniors whose athletic careers came to a premature end. Previous senior profiles can be viewed by heading to http://www.unionathletics.com/seniorspotlights.
 
Ed Winters was a four-year member of the Union men's lacrosse team and an anchor of the defense that produced two of the top squads in recent program history. After playing in just seven combined games in his first two seasons, Winters was named to the USILA All-America third team as a junior, when he started all 18 games and registered 49 ground balls and a team-best 33 caused turnovers in leading the Dutchmen to the NCAA Tournament. After earning Preseason All-America recognition from Inside Lacrosse heading into his senior year, Winters picked up 14 ground balls and caused nine turnovers over the first four games as Union got off to a 4-1 start and was ranked 10th in the country.
 
A mathematics major, Winters graduated from Officer Candidates School last summer and will be joining the Marines as a commissioned officer after finishing his studies.
 
What has been your favorite moment as a student-athlete at Union?
My favorite moment as a student-athlete has to be playing against Middlebury in the Carrier Dome. We ended up beating Middlebury 14-10, but that game was truly a full team effort. The team never gave up and we were able to pull out the win against a very good team in a gorgeous facility. 
 
How has being a student-athlete at Union benefited you over the last four years?
Being a student-athlete has helped me become a leader, become better at time management, and also become a great teammate.
 
What has been your most meaningful experience outside of athletics?
My most meaningful experience outside of athletics was when I attended Officer Candidates School last summer. I underwent a 10-week program where I was screened and evaluated by drill instructors to see if I was capable of being an officer in the Marine Corps. During this school I learned how to be both a better leader and a follower, two things that benefited me on the lacrosse field. 
 
Who was/is your favorite professor at Union and why?
Professor Stephen Berk [Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies] has to be my favorite professor at Union because he was one of the first professors I had here at Union. Not only was he a great first teacher to have, but he is able to keep the class interesting throughout the entire 10 weeks.
 
Do you have plans for post-graduation yet?  If so, what are they?
After graduation I will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. 
 
What advice would you give to younger athletes about their time at Union?
The advice that I would give is to be patient and make the most of your opportunities. You may not start or play any games for your first couple years, but that does not mean you should quit playing. The relationships that you will build with teammates, coaches, trainers, and staff are all more than worth it.