Tremendous 24: New Paltz Hawks Lacrosse Captain Zach Leung

Next in my Tremendous 24 series is a genuine, noble leader during his time as a lacrosse player, but even more so as a human being as a promising aspiring teacher in the making. He may be the most down-to-earth, humble person I’ve interviewed as a guy who doesn’t say much or display much emotion but leads by example with his work ethic. There’s a reason he was captain of the New Paltz Hawks lacrosse team: Zach Leung.

Leung and I met during my senior year at New Paltz when I started sports announcing. He was the scoreboard keeper two seats to my right, and he helped calm me down that first night by telling me, “You got this.” We immediately clicked and formed a relationship. Leung was born in Massapequa Park, New York, but he grew up in a small town called Farmingdale on Long Island, which had just over 8,500 residents in 2024.

Farmingdale in Long Island, NY

Leung’s lacrosse beginnings began in second grade at a catholic school in the PAL system, where he met most of his friends who would later become some of his high school teammates.

“I started second grade when I knew I was in a catholic school, and then I switched to Farmingdale public schools and then decided to join the lacrosse PAL system where, you know, I got to meet all these kids and where I got to meet a lot of my friends in high school and things like that… I scored a hat trick in my first game…I totally didn’t expect that my first ever game, and then I just loved it and wanted to keep going from there.”

Leung looked up to defensemen such as Joel White and Tucker Durkin as players he aspired to be on the lacrosse field. He played other sports as well, such as baseball, soccer, and football, which helped him with contact and getting stronger for lacrosse while playing basketball and tennis for fun. Leung would play for the Team Pride & Revolution travel team during his years at Howitt Middle School, where he got to play alongside his friends, which prepared him for the high school level.

Leung attended Farmingdale High School, where he was an athlete and expanded his interests to include music, jazz chorus, and more.

“I was an athlete, but I also did music. I was a part of the barbershop quartet all my four years there; I was a part of the jazz chorus, you know, I got to meet a bunch of different people. I was never in one specific group, so that was a good experience for me just to spread my wings, honestly. Just meet everyone at my school… That was very crucial to me just to get to know a lot of people and get in contact with a lot of people.

Farmingdale High School

Leung played JV his first two years at Farmingdale before getting pulled to varsity at the end of his sophomore season. The Dalers went 14-2 that season, good for second in Section A behind his hometown Massapequa. They fell to Syosset in the playoffs. The Dalers combined for a 19-11 record in his next two seasons, losing to Syosset in his junior season with COVID-19, which unfortunately affected his senior season in 2019-20.

Leung playing for his high school lacrosse team, the Dalers,

After high school, Leung chose to continue his athletic career at SUNY New Paltz over Oneonta and Plattsburgh because it was incredible academically, and he aspired to become a teacher. He also was a member of the second recruiting class in New Paltz’s lacrosse program history.  The program struggled to garner consistency during his time there, with their best season coming in 2023 at 8-7 during Leung’s tenure there, where he served as team captain.

During his junior year, Leung had 38 ground balls and forced 11 turnovers, including a game-high seven against his hometown, Farmingdale, on March 1, 2023.

“Going to Farmingdale State is always great because, you know, you get to see a lot of familiar faces every time… Seeing those guys play is always great.”

Leung in action for New Paltz Lacrosse

Outside of lacrosse, he loves singing and even sang in a high school karaoke group. He also enjoys playing board games, video games, and pickup basketball from time to time. He enjoys listening to artists like Ski Mask, Drake, Juice Wrld, etc. His lacrosse GOAT is Paul Rabil, and his top athlete of all time is Muhammad Ali. 

Leung graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Adolescent Education. He hopes to become a teacher for the youth and inspire the next generation. Leung is currently a student teacher at his former high school and is working on his master's in education. He is also a volunteer lacrosse coach for his alma mater, Farmingdale.

Leung and the Reign Lacrosse team after capturing the championship.

When it was all said and done, Leung had this to say about how he wanted to be remembered.

“I want people to think of me as a kind person. Someone that always has your back… Is someone you could look up to, and you’re not afraid to ask questions. You’re not afraid of just talking. I’m someone that’s supportive of whatever ventures you do later on in life…Trying to be that backbone for you.

A calm demeanor, unselfish attitude, and unique humor make Leung truly special. His leadership throughout his lacrosse career, but even more so in the community, is something all kids should aspire to be as people. 

That is why he embodies Greatness Within.