Captains Q&As – Bobby Van Buren
12/19/2025 10:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Bobby Van Buren is a graduate defenseman and two-time captain for the Ohio State lacrosse team. He is the team's most veteran player at close defense with 44 starts in 50 games played.
The Wingate, N.C. native's Ohio State career has been one for the record books, becoming the first close defenseman to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2022 and just last season picking up the program's first national defender of the year award. The 2025 Tewaaraton Award nominee is also a three-time USILA All-American for the Buckeyes.
Learn more about Bobby:
What age did you start playing lacrosse?
"I started playing when I was eight or nine years old. As many know, I was homeschooled, so my mom signed me up for a homeschool lacrosse clinic one day just to try it out. I ended up loving it, obviously. I played on my first travel team around 10-11 years old for the South Charlotte Cyclones, which eventually became Team Carolina."
What's your favorite thing about the sport?
"My favorite thing about the sport is just how many attributes you must have to really excel at the highest level. Athleticism, skill, toughness, team culture, decision making and more are all crucial in the game. My favorite thing about playing defense specifically is the one-on-one matchups. Although it is the most daunting part of playing defense, it's also the most rewarding and impressive in my opinion. Seeing the best defenders have shut down performances growing up was very inspiring for me. I've also always admired seeing cornerbacks go one-on-one with receivers in the NFL, I think that is also a big part of why I love it so much."
Why did you choose to come to Ohio State?
"I chose to come to Ohio state for many reasons, but the two primary reasons were that I felt most connected and welcomed by the team and coaching staff, and that it felt like the best fit for me both athletically and academically and for my future career aspirations."
How have you seen yourself grow in your time at Ohio State?
"I've seen myself grow in the sport just through how much better of a player I have become. Coming in, most think they have it mostly figured out, including myself who was a top recruit out of high school. However, from the coaching I have received and the challenges I have gone through on the field, I have become a much more complete and dominant player than I ever was before, and I believe I still have so much more room to improve as a player which is the exciting part. In terms of growth off of the field, that has probably been the most impactful change during my time here at Ohio State. I have become such a better man, leader, friend and teammate through the people I have met and conversations I have had off of the field."
What makes Ohio State special?
"I think what makes Ohio State special is the elite combination of athletics, academics and social environment the university offers all at once. Most places don't hit all three of those as well as Ohio State does."
What is something not everyone knows about you?
"I am a big MCU – Marvel Cinematic Universe – fan. I can get pretty detailed on all of the movies."
As a second-year captain, what did you learn from last season that you'll bring into this season?
"I learned a lot of important things as a captain last year. One of the most important one's being that when you are a captain, you must have the ability to make tough decisions using your best judgment, and to follow through and own that decision, even if that outcome wasn't exactly what was desired. You must be a decisive and confident. Going into my second year as a captain, I feel even more comfortable with that responsibility."
What is your favorite Ohio State tradition?
"My favorite Ohio State lacrosse tradition is tied between singing the Buckeye Battle Cry post-win, or the run-out out of our shooting room right before home games."
What excites you about the 2026 season?
"What excites me the most about this season is the combination of having the talent and skill level that we do on our roster this year but also having the right people and leaders that all care deeply for each other. I think when you have those two things combined, you are already setting yourself up for success."
#GoBucks
