Following second-team All-State honors and leading his team to a final four run, South shortstop Dane Lezotte ’26 has announced his commitment to Cornell University to continue playing baseball at the Division 1 (D1) level. From recruiting camps to paramount ACT studying, Lezotte’s work has led to an offer at the highest collegiate level in terms of both athletics and academics.
While he had always dreamed of playing for an Ivy League school, Lezotte’s journey there did not come with immediate success. In the early stages of the recruiting process, he had no offers at all, and eventually planned on playing at a D2 school before Cornell gave him a dream-like call.
“I was at a loss for words,” Lezotte said. “After all the long nights and countless hours in the gym and the cage, I finally saw the hard work pay off. It didn’t feel like real life for a week.”
The road to this opportunity for Lezotte was not always a linear one. He credits those who supported him along the way and the habits he built early on for guiding him in his achievements.
“It was an up-and-down battle,” Lezotte said. “It all comes down to the foundation you build in elementary and middle school. Sacrifices will have to be made, giving up extra time with your buddies, or sometimes sleep, to make sure you are staying on track and making the right decisions.”
Lezotte’s teammates praise his commitment to the team for their accomplishments and trust his leadership to make them better. Jack Danielewicz ’26, who has played alongside Lezotte every year at South, has observed this and recognizes the qualities that have led to Lezotte receiving a D1, Ivy League offer.
“Dane’s work ethic sets him apart from other aspiring high school athletes,” Danielewicz said. “I will go to the field and see him there every time. It’s nice knowing that your teammate cares about his craft so much and wants to be successful so badly that he’s willing to put in hours and hours of extra work.”
Head baseball coach Dan Griesbaum makes a point of learning from people who succeed at the level you want to be at. He believes players can learn from Lezotte as a role model for talent, discipline and benevolence.
“Dane sets the example,” Griesbaum said. “You can see it in his daily habits. We want to model what successful people are doing, and players can do that by emulating his work ethic, love for the game and leadership. He respects this humbling game tremendously, and overcomes failure without letting him get down in any way, shape or form.”
As Lezotte looks to the future once his playing time at South comes to an end, Griesbaum believes the qualities that have made him successful thus far in his career will continue to serve him well at Cornell.
“Keep doing what you’re doing,” Griesbaum said. “Continue to be the great person that you are. Continue to believe in yourself and work hard to improve. Be the best teammate you can be. Nobody deserves it more than he does, and I’m really looking forward to what he will do on the field this year and in the future.”
