JOHNSON, Vt.- Today on the Johnson Athletics Alumni Spotlight we feature Chris Lamica an '08 graduate and was a member of the men's basketball program. It is our pleasure to feature Chris!
Name: Chris Lamica
Class Year: 2008 (2005-2008)
Concentration/Major: Elementary Education
Sport(s) played at Johnson: Men's Basketball
Hometown & State: Averill Park, New York
Current town/city: Los Angeles, California
Occupation/Job Title: Actor
Why did you decide to attend Johnson?
I transferred to Johnson midway through my Sophomore year, after my grandparents passed. They lived near the campus of my original university, so I was looking for a new college to call home. Johnson came to my attention through my uncle, who is familiar with the Vermont basketball scene, told me that JSC was a place that's very different than I was accustomed to, but that I should take a look. After I visited, I knew it was where I wanted to continue my basketball career and education.
Tell us about your job. What do you like most about your current role?
As an actor, I love the ability and responsibility to bring deserving and entertaining stories to life. Art can inspire and change people's life, as well as make you laugh, smile, contemplate, and cry. It's not a path I ever would've expected going down, but I'm fortunate and thankful I did.
How did your experience at Johnson help prepare you for what you are doing today?
When I played for a Harlem Globetrotters type of organization, where I was a lead trick player, there was a direct influence from the countless hours I put in at JSC. All the tricks and ball spins were mastered in Carter Gymnasium. Without that experience, there's no way I could've toured the country, entertaining thousands, nor could I have gone on to be an American Basketball Association All-Star. As far as my current job as an actor, I have had the pleasure of utilizing my basketball skills in a handful of national commercials for name brands. Additionally, when filming shows like NCIS: LA, The Rookie, Lucifer, SWAT, etc, I always bring my passion for entertaining and inspiring others, which can be directly linked to my degree in Elementary Education. As odd as it sounds, I firmly believe there's a lot of transferable skill from teaching to acting. Though teaching is WAY harder.
What advice/insight do you have for Johnson alumni and current student-athletes interested in your career field?
As a general note, I would encourage everyone to find their passion and relentlessly pursue it. Understanding that if the mountain is high and difficult, you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and eventually you will get to the top. Just have to keep making purposeful progress every day.
Looking back on your time as a Johnson student-athlete, what is one of your favorite memories?
By far, my fondest memory is proposing to my wife Jenna (Hall of Fame Class of 2020) in Carter Gymnasium, on the exact spot we first met. The assistance and "favors" I got from the Campus Security allowed it to be a magical, memorable, and beautiful proposal and moment.
Have you attended alumni weekend? If so, tell us about your experience returning to campus.
When I was back east, we always did. Returning to campus was surreal, as the wonderful memories would come flooding back the second you get near campus. I am very proud to be a Badger, as it is the catalyst for so much of the person I am, and continuing to become. Johnson will always feel like home..