Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2026 91 BY TODD D. BURLAGE F ighting Irish junior Shawn Lyght dutifully carries a simple four-word message in his head and heart that helps keep him both grounded and focused on the opportunities that being a star Notre Dame student-athlete provides him. "Always find your why," shared Lyght, already a two-time All-America la- crosse defenseman and the face of the Irish program this season. "In every- thing you do, understand that your de- cisions and actions often impact others. So always find your why." Considered one of the best players in the country — and one of only a small number of African Americans to play lacrosse at this elite level — Lyght's "why" is rooted in sharing the joys and experiences the sport brings, while us- ing his lofty platform at Notre Dame to encourage younger players to give it a try. "I have a chance to be on a national stage that allows me to inspire African Americans or other minorities to learn the sport," Lyght explained. "So since my junior year of high school, it's been my lacrosse mission to grow the sport and to be a role model for people — peo- ple who don't look like a typical lacrosse player — to feel like they can join the sport and they can succeed. "I love the game of lacrosse. It's opened so many doors for me, and I think it can continue to open so many doors for other people." TIME TO SHINE After spending his first two seasons at Notre Dame somewhat overshadowed by Irish lacrosse legends Pat and Chris Kavanagh, as well as All-American teammates Jake Taylor, Liam Enten- mann and many others, this year's team is finally Lyght's team. Named the nation's 2026 Preseason Defenseman of the Year by USA La- crosse, the third-year Irish starter is embracing his expanded role on a team that will have a revamped roster, and no Kavanagh brothers to lean on for the first time since 2020. "It's definitely going to be a new look," Lyght said in anticipation of lead- ing this proud program to a 19th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 20 full seasons. "I'm excited to see what some of the younger guys can do and how everyone is going to play together." But nothing is guaranteed. This spring, veteran Irish head coach Kevin Corrigan might face the biggest roster rebuild he has ever had during his 38 years on the Irish sideline after losing his top three goal scorers, his top two assist makers and most of his strongest leaders from last season. "You don't build a team on wishes and memories," said Corrigan, whose team opened the 2026 regular season with a 16-11 win at Marquette Feb. 14. "You build it on the guys that are here every day doing the work." After winning back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, Cor- rigan's program became the hunted. And while expectations remain high this season for the No. 8-ranked Irish, the usual "team to beat" preseason per- ception is diminished some this spring with the significant player losses. And that's fine with Lyght. "To be honest, it's kind of nice to have the target off of your back," Lyght said. "That will give us a chance to come in and be the hunters instead of the hunted. "So we've kind of had a chip on our shoulder that people are writing us off because they don't think that we are going to be back on top, back to where we know we can be." WELCOME TO NOTRE DAME A Scotch Plains, N.J., native, Lyght became a two-time lacrosse high school All-American, the 2023 New Jersey Player of the Year and a gifted basketball The Time Is Now For Men's Lacrosse Junior Shawn Lyght N O T R E D A M E S P O R T S Lyght, a third-year starter for the Irish, was named the nation's 2026 Preseason Defenseman of the Year by USA Lacrosse. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS