For the more than 200,000 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athletes who competed during the 2024-25 season, the journey to college athletics has played a defining role in shaping who they are — not just as athletes, but as people. William and Mary sophomore infielder Jamie Laskofski is no exception.
Laskofski is coming off a stellar rookie season, in which he earned Coastal Athletic Association All-Rookie and Second Team All-CAA honors. He also led all CAA freshmen in runs (54), hits (77), stolen bases (12) and batting average (.360). This season, Laskofski looks to build on his strong performances while continuing to develop.
Growing up, Laskofski knew he liked the competition and rush of the sport. From a young age, he set his mind on competing at the collegiate level — a dream he turned into a reality through hours of training and unwavering dedication.
Laskofski credits his interest in baseball to his father, who coached him until he was 14. Laskofski’s father also played baseball at William and Mary, surrounding his son in Green and Gold garb since he was a little leaguer.
“After he stopped coaching me, I started using him as an outlet to talk to him about everything I’m going through baseball-wise,” Laskofski said. “He went through the same process with recruiting and playing in college.”
Just as his father once guided his journey, Laskofski now hopes to provide that same support for his younger brother as he navigates the recruiting process.
When it came time to decide on a college, Laskofski knew he wanted to attend a school that matched him both academically and athletically — something William and Mary could uniquely offer.
“I like to compete a lot, so just going to school where you can compete and get a really good education is very important for me,” he said.
Laskofski also noted that being a legacy gave him unique insight into the Tribe community and what to expect when on campus.
“My older sister goes here, so I knew if I were to go here as well, I would have two to three years with her at college, and that’s always a plus having someone you know by your side,” Laskofski said.
Laskofski emphasized balance, particularly between athletics and academics during the baseball season.
“Balance comes in waves,” he said. “For example, there will be a week where there are a bunch of assignments and a bunch of essays and homework, and you have to be willing to set time aside to prioritize that, and then there are other weeks where it is light, and you can relax and reset,” Laskofski said.
It took Laskofski time to strike that exact balance, with his teammates playing a crucial role in the process. Through conversations, Laskofski realized that many of his teammates have different time management strategies.
While Laskofski has had his fair share of success throughout his career, he has also faced setbacks, natural in a sport like baseball, where games come quickly one after another. Laskofski said he has learned to move forward rather than dwell on past mistakes.
“Not everything is going to go how you want to every time you play, and just because one bad thing happens, it doesn’t ruin your chances at having a good future,” he said. “It’ll all work out eventually if you keep doing the right thing.”
Through countless highs and lows on both personal and team levels, Laskofski has learned to carry a positive attitude into each day.
“I’ve learned that every day is a new day, and every day you wake up and the sun still comes up,” he said.
Laskofski was clear about his goal for the team this season.
“Last year, we made the playoffs even though we weren’t projected to due to injuries,” he said. “I believe that if we keep our eyes on the goal of making the playoffs this season, everything will fall into place.”
