Jon Hess, undoubtedly the finest lacrosse player to come from Rockland County, achieved his notoriety at Princeton University during the springs of 1995-98. While at Nyack High School from 1991-1994, he earned All-County honors 3 times, as Nyack always finished behind perennial league champions Yorktown. When he graduated from high school, he had established the Rockland County record for most total points with 314.

Then it was off to Princeton, where he started every game from his freshman year in 1995 (team record 11-4) until the end of his senior year in 1998. In the next 3 years, Hess led Princeton to 3 national titles, with the Tigers losing only 2 games in those 3 years. As a sophomore, Jon earned his first college All-American honors, being named to the second team.

The following season, Hess advanced to first team All-American and was selected as the MVP of The NCAA’s Final 4 Tourney. Naturally he was also chosen as Ivy League Player of the Year, as he led Princeton in total points with 74. In 1998, Jon was once again named as first team All-American. He finished his career at Princeton in second place in total points with 215 points and assisted on 133 goals. His two fellow attack men Jesse Hubbard and Chris Massey (also All-Americans) wrapped up their careers in third and fourth place in scoring, as the recipients of Hess’ deft passing skills.

Jon went on to a short major league professional lacrosse career, playing 3 seasons with The New Jersey Pride, where he won the league’s sportsmen’s award, as he led the league in assists and finished fourth in total points.

While in high school, Jon participated in the Empire State (N.Y.) games during the summers of 1992 and 1993. His team won the gold medal in 1992 and the bronze medal in 1993.

Hess now works as an equities trader for Merrill-Lynch in New York City.