A six-time varsity letter winner and two-sport athlete, Eric Stein ’89 was a key contributor on the football and lacrosse teams during his four years at Hobart.
A defensive standout on the football team, Stein rang up a total of 151 tackles, including 79 solo, during his career. He played two seasons under Head Coach Jack Daniels, posting a 10-8 record and two seasons under his successor, Dick Taylor. As a junior, Stein made a career-high 63 tackles and in his senior year, he made 57 tackles and earned the Vincent Welch Memorial Award for scholarship, sportsmanship, and perseverance.
Despite not playing lacrosse in high school, Stein followed in the footsteps of his brother,
J.C. Stein ’86 (Hall of Fame Class of 1997), and picked up the sport as a first-year at Hobart. Under the tutelage of future Hall of Famers
Dave Urick and
Marc Van Arsdale, Stein became known as a defensive stalwart in the midfield, helping the Hobart championship dynasty capture national championships 1988 (14-4) and 1989 (15-4). He guarded some of the best attackmen in the nation, including Syracuse’s Gary and Paul Gait and Ohio Wesleyan’s Kevin Finneran.
In his senior season, Stein helped lead the Statesmen on a 10-game winning streak that culminated in an 11-8 victory over Ohio Wesleyan in the NCAA Championship game on Boswell Field. He won Hobart’s Outstanding Defensive Player Award, was named a USILA first team All-American and earned the 1989 National Player of the Year.
The Steins are believed to be the only set of brothers to earn USILA All-American accolades without playing lacrosse in high school.
In addition, Stein was recognized for his outstanding effort in the classroom and on the field, earning USILA Scholar All-American honors. He was also a Henry Hawley Scholar, which recognizes excellence in economics and campus leadership. Stein wrapped up his collegiate athletic career by representing Hobart in the North-South Senior All-Star Game.
Stein earned a master’s in business administration from New York University.
