Eric Spanos Living His Maryland Lacrosse Dream

Nearly nine years ago, Eric Spanos hit “post.”

The caption was simple: “I would like to announce my commitment to play lacrosse for the University of Maryland class of 2025.” 

He wasn’t even in high school yet. Still, the eighth grader put his future on display — a dream that would eventually lead him to College Park.

Now, that once-hopeful kid is one of Maryland’s stars, living out the promise he made before his career had even begun.

“I’m living out a childhood dream every day,” Spanos said. “And I’m doing it with some of my best friends and the best coaches in the world. It’s truly a blessing for me. I’m forever in debt to have the opportunity to play here.”

His commitment to Maryland came early, even by the previous standards of the time. The comment section of his post is flooded with mixed reactions of congratulations and astonishment at his confidence in declaring such a high-aiming aspiration.

“Things worked out perfectly, and I was able to commit to my dream school,” Spanos said. “It was a no-brainer for me, even at that early of an age. I grew up in and around Maryland sports and rooting for Maryland. It was always in my blood, so when that opportunity came to join the team, it was definitely a no-brainer.”

He went to high school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Maryland, rooting for his hometown Terps. He idolized Terrapin lacrosse icons Matt Rambo and Connor Kelly, 

“Once I got here, I was able to be around so many great players and see how they lead,” Spanos said. “Seeing their day-to-day routines helped me take so many pages out of their books, which I’m eternally grateful for.”

The biggest thing that drew him to College Park, besides his childhood fandom, was a still-growing bond with head coach John Tillman, who’s helmed the program since 2011.

“The biggest thing that made my decision was the coaching staff, especially Coach Tillman,” Spanos said. “He gave me so much confidence, even at a young age. He took time to get to know my parents, which went a long way. The whole time I’ve known him, he’s instilled confidence in me and has always had my back.”

The two have known each other for over a decade, growing with and around each other, all with the interests of the program at heart. Spanos wants to bring his best to Maryland lacrosse in everything he does. Tillman wants to build a leader and player who'll leave College Park better than he found it. 

“I’ve grown older and matured, so there’s been some give and take within our relationship,” Spanos said. “He’s pushed me to become a leader, and I think that made us grow even closer. He expects more from me now, and pushes me harder, but he knows I can handle it because of how I matured.”

Tillman had an early belief in Spanos, but also a trust that he could fulfill the expectations he had for the program. Maryland lacrosse produces not only talented players but also team-oriented young men who put the needs of others above their own. 

“He’s a wonderful young guy,” Tillman said. “He’s not a selfish kid. When you talk about a guy who’s a complete student-athlete, he’s that guy. He works really hard in school, keeps his nose clean, does all the right things off the field, and loves his family and friends. He’s a total winner.”

Within Tillman’s program, the No. 1 jersey is given to someone who exemplifies the core principles of Maryland lacrosse: leadership and passion. Spanos earned it with 79 goals and 37 assists entering 2026 and a lifetime of strong bonds created within the locker room. Ahead of the season, Spanos was selected to wear the No. 1 jersey, following in the footsteps of his idols and bearing the responsibility of lifting up the team. 

“Eric is great,” Tillman said. “He’s really come such a long way. He’s a hard-working, humble, team-first guy. He’s really done a great job of looking at some of the guys that have been on the journeys we’ve had before, like Brett Makar and Logan Wisnauskas. He’s really paid attention to the type of people they were, how they led, how they did their business and hasn’t forgotten those things.”

"It’s a huge honor,” Spanos said. “Knowing it came from the coaches and they have that trust in me is a huge honor. But at the end of the day, It’s just about trying to be my best self and the best for my teammates, my coaches, and everyone involved. But everyone plays a role, regardless of the number. Everyone has such a huge role within our day-to-day lives, and it’s something I’m so grateful to be a part of.”

Maryland legends, including Joe Walters, Jared Bernhardt, and Logan Wisnauskas, all of whom were or are the program’s all-time goal-scoring leaders, have all worn the program’s coveted No. 1 jersey. Spanos’ two idols, Rambo and Kelly, wore the number before him, bringing his childhood admiration full circle.

“I’ll be forever in debt to this place,” Spanos said. “It’s been everything I’ve wanted and then some. I can’t express enough how much the people, the coaches, and the University of Maryland mean to me. It’s just been unreal.”

Spanos has embraced Maryland lacrosse’s “Be The Best” mantra and uses it to lift his teammates up before himself, displaying the unselfish nature that makes him a true Terp.

“If I do my part, I put my teammates in a great position to succeed,” Spanos said. “Likewise with them. If they're stepping into every day trying to be their best, it's going to push me to be my best. That's something we preach a bunch.”

Being the best with Maryland lacrosse extends beyond the playing field. The program has always put an emphasis on greatness in the classroom, and had 20 players on the Fall Semester Dean’s List in 2025. Spanos has a pair of Academic All-Big Ten accolades to his name, getting more than just playing time from his tenure at the University of Maryland. 

“Being the best, it just doesn't just stay on the field,” Spanos said. “It goes with you everywhere. That's in the classroom, and how you treat people. It's how you know you are with your family, your friends, and just trying to be your best in every aspect. If I’m in the classroom, I'm trying my best to do whatever I can to get the best grades and put my best foot forward in the classroom. That's something that's been preached here for a really long time.”

Ahead of his captain season, Spanos and his teammates built an unselfish vision centered on inclusion and morale. This year, he says, when the Terps score, he doesn’t want anyone in the stands to know who put the ball in the net — because the entire team should be celebrating like they’re the one who did.

“This place has meant everything to me for the past five years,” Spanos said. “It's been home. Having all my brothers with me every day and such a great coaching staff, it's pretty hard to just put it into words. I can go down a list and name 100 different things that this place has given me or done for me, and I'm just so grateful.”

Now, the young eyes are on Spanos. He’s the role model for others that Kelly and Rambo once were for him. In his maturity, he recognizes the platform he has to inspire others as a teammate, a player, and a friend.

“It's definitely awesome,” Spanos said. “I just want to try to be the best role model I can be and just set an example in my play, my leadership and just how I treat my teammates. I think if I'm able to do that, I think I can definitely put myself in a good spot to be a good role model for youth players, and that’s something that's super cool. Looking back, I modeled my game and idolized so many players that have been here before me, so it’s awesome that I can be that person now.”

It’s been nearly a decade since Spanos committed to Maryland, and he has less than three months left in his time as a Terp. It’s a bittersweet feeling for the captain, but he’s soaking in every second he has left, fulfilling the promise he made to his younger self back in 2017.

“One big thing I embraced a few years ago is ‘be here now,’” Spanos said. “Be where my feet are, and that's something we try to preach. Going forward, I’m just trying to be where my feet are. I know my time's limited here, so I’m just taking every day like it's the last.”