The Bethany, Conn.,Sitting on an office chair in Emerson’s athletics office being drilled with questions, it’s obvious Jakob Frank is uncomfortable talking about himself. However, on the lacrosse field, the sophomore new media major couldn’t be more at home.

The Bethany, Conn., native began his lacrosse career in sixth grade and hasn’t looked back since.

Frank, a transfer student from Western Connecticut State University, has become an integral part of the Lions’ roster. He leads the team with the most points (18), assists (10) and shots on goal (28).

“We need to have more scoring punch and we also need to keep him on offense as much as we can because he is our best offensive player,” said Head Coach Mike Blanchard.

Frank’s offensive output is made more impressive by the fact that he is just a sophomore. But Frank insists age has nothing to do with ability.

“I don’t really see myself as a sophomore, so to speak. I’m just another player out there,” he said. “I don’t really believe in having designations like freshman or sophomore. I think if you can play, you can play. It shouldn’t be by what year you are.”

For as much personal success as Frank has enjoyed, it has not translated into wins for his team, something that clearly bothers him.

“For this year, I’d like to play a role on offense, really cement the offense and start getting everyone else into the game,” he said. “As the season goes on, I’d rather have less of those numbers and have other people start stepping up and start making everyone else better.”

It is this competitive streak that transforms an otherwise mild-mannered person into the intense player his coaches and teammates know on the field.

“He seems like a really quiet kid, and he is,” Blanchard said. “But when he gets on the field, no one wants to win as badly as him. He gets so angry with himself if he doesn’t do something right, and he’s never pointing fingers at anyone, it’s always him.”

Instead letting this rage consume him, Blanchard said Frank is able funnel it into something useful.

“He just wants to explode out there,” Blanchard said. “He just wants to channel it all into making a good play.”

Frank’s main job may be to create as many scoring chances as possible for his team, but as Blanchard explained, his role is much deeper than that.

“I can explain it this way,” Blanchard said. “When he’s on the field, if someone does something and they have to run because of a penalty, Jake’s the first person to run with them. That’s exactly the way he is. Or when he’s done running and kids are still going to finish, he’s the first person up cheering them on. That’s Jake.”