Another Inderlied athlete ready to suit up for UVA
NORFOLK, Va. — For those of us in our community who know the name Inderlied, the first word that likely comes to your mind is “athlete.” Mark and Kris Inderlied and their three children, Caroline, William and Amelia are all known for their athletic prowess. Whether it’s cutting through the water at inconceivable speeds or maneuvering sports balls of various shapes down a field, the Inderlied family’s affinity for sports seems a birthright.
Middle child William, a senior at Norfolk Academy, is no exception. He has plans to attend the University of Virginia and his lifelong participation in multiple sports has played a significant role in his acceptance. Since he was 6 years old, William has played football, basketball and lacrosse and swam competitively. He grew up swimming at the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club and swam on their swim team for many years with his two sisters. When William was about 14 years old, he shifted his athletic focus to ball sports.
“My favorite sport fluctuates depending on the season, although throughout the majority of my childhood I believe I can safely say football was the one I enjoyed most,” recollected William.
During his junior year of high school, however, he stopped playing football to improve his lacrosse skills. He fell in love with the game and saw a bright future in the sport for himself. This imagined future was fueled with a rich history.
William’s grandfather played lacrosse at The United States Naval Academy and on the 1960 national championship team. He encouraged William to play early in his youth, and he started with 757 Select Lacrosse. He fondly recalls many coaches through the years who had a major influence on his development as an athlete and especially as a lacrosse player — namely Pope Hackney, J.P. Stewart, Perry Frazer and John Falvey. The program served as a vehicle for William’s athletic success and groomed him for playing midfield for both Norfolk Academy and with Amped LAX.
A summer travel lacrosse program offered to a select group of Virginia high school players, Amped LAX utilizes former college players and current college and high school coaches to prepare players for national tournaments. The program is intensive and rewarding.
“Coaches Chris Rusbuldt and Chuck White helped me establish relationships with college coaches, and they also helped me grow as a person and player,” said William fondly.
Lacrosse isn’t just a discipline for William, he truly finds enjoyment in the game. When sports were shut down during the early months of the pandemic, William and many of his friends didn’t let it dampen their passion. They convened at Bay Colony Field to practice daily, creating games to play so that it never got old. As some went off to college and others suffered injuries, William found himself practicing alone for many months.
“I have learned a lot about myself during this time and have developed compassion for all of the other athletes who either didn’t have a chance to compete or had their recruiting hindered because of COVID,” he said insightfully.
In his junior year, William was invited to an official visit to UVA. Two days later, he was offered both a spot on their lacrosse team and a partial scholarship. He discussed the decision with his family, but it was simply a formality. Since William always dreamed of playing a sport at UVA, he accepted the offer that night without hesitation.
William has been a huge UVA fan for as long as he can remember.
“I used to cry when we would lose to Virginia Tech in football in my early years,” he said.
His father was a kicker for the UVA football team in the late 80s, and William grew up visiting UVA with him often. He plans to study international business and is intrigued to learn both Spanish and finance. While UVA promises a quality education, William’s schooling as a team player — learning accountability, leadership and collaboration — will surely serve as the superior preparation for a fulfilling life.
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