Raleigh Sports Club honored senior football and lacrosse player Drake Hamlin ’22 as their student-athlete of the week at its weekly luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 3. 

Drake, a captain of the 6-4 Ravenscroft football team, is a two-way starter at offensive tackle and defensive line this season and has led the Ravens to an NCISAA playoff berth. Last spring, Drake helped lead the Ravens lacrosse team to an 8-4.

Wake County coaches and athletic directors nominate their high school student-athletes for this recognition. The Raleigh Sports Club selected Hamlin based on his excellent academic record, his community service and his athletic success and leadership. 

“Drake Hamlin has been an exceptional player on both sides of the ball throughout his high school career for Ravenscroft,” Athletic Director and head football coach Ned Gonet said. “As an offensive lineman, he is a very powerful run blocker and solid in pass protection and has the quickness to get downfield for additional blocking. On defense he exhibits power and athleticism as a defensive end making plays all over the field. In addition, he is a good student, a valuable leader and has the potential to play at the next level because of his size, skills and dedication to the sport.”

Head varsity lacrosse coach Sandy Kapatos added, “Drake's progress as a player and our leader accelerated last season. He’s earned the respect of his teammates and the coaching staff. We have high expectations for the spring.”

Raleigh Sports Club is in its 57th year of providing weekly luncheons featuring speakers representing all parts of the college and professional athletic scene. The keynote speaker at the Nov. 3 meeting was Nina King, Vice President, Director of Athletics, and Adjunct Professor of Business Administration for Duke University. 

“It was a great honor to be given this award,” Drake said. “I really enjoyed meeting and talking with all the great people there.”