Colorado State Lacrosse
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Nathanael Merchant

Nathanael Merchant brings a strong combination of Division I playing experience, leadership, and youth coaching to the coaching staff. A four-year starter at Mount St. Mary’s University, Merchant competed at the NCAA Division I level from 2021–2025 and was a member of the 2023 MAAC Regular Season Championship team. He was named team captain in 2024, helping lead the program through communication, accountability, and team culture.

Merchant’s playing experience provides a strong foundation for his work with defensive units and individual player development. His approach emphasizes preparation, communication, accountability, and the details required to compete consistently at a high level. As a captain, he developed experience leading teammates both on and off the field while helping establish a positive and competitive team environment.

Merchant also brings coaching experience from True Lacrosse Illinois, where he led practices and games, organized drills and player evaluations, and mentored youth athletes. His coaching philosophy centers on creating positive learning environments while developing teamwork, discipline, and confidence in young players.

Outside of lacrosse, Merchant has developed extensive experience in team coordination, scheduling, operations, and communication through his professional work and athletic career. He currently works as an Inside Sales Representative with Amrize Mid-Atlantic, coordinating daily with dispatch, quality control, and operations teams while managing customer relationships, scheduling, forecasting, and data tracking.

Merchant graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in 2025 with bachelor’s degrees in Business, with a concentration in Marketing, and Sports Management. He graduated with a 3.87 GPA and was a three-time All-MAAC Academic Team honoree.

Player Dues

The Program accepts dues via PayPal or Venmo. There is a 3.3% fee when paying online due to the use of PayPal. Please contact the Team Treasurer should you need to make alternative payment arrangements.

We also remind you that all base dues payments are nonrefundable with the following exception: if CSU Lacrosse is not permitted to have spring activities, a partial refund will be given.

Pay with PayPal

alumni@csulacrosse.com

Pay with Venmo

@CSULacrosse

Code of Conduct

Mandatory for all players (new & returning).

Read, understand and sign the CSU Men’s Lacrosse Code of Conduct.

Player Code Of Conduct

Student-athletes participating in CSU Men’s Lacrosse represent Colorado State University (CSU), Campus Recreation, and the Sport Clubs Office. These organizations dedicate themselves to the tradition of proper conduct and expect the same from the athletes, their representatives, and ambassadors.

Any breach of this Code of Conduct & Responsibilities document will be forwarded to the appropriate disciplinary committee for review and action (Men’s Lacrosse Student Leadership, Campus Recreation Administration, Sport Clubs Administration, ASCSU, All University Hearing Board, Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services, etc.).

As a Member of the CSU Men’s Lacrosse Program, I understand that:

My actions represent CSU, Campus Recreation, and the Sport Clubs office. I will practice good sportsmanship at all practices, scrimmages, and games. I will conduct myself to maintain the highest principles, integrity, and dignity of CSU, Sport Clubs, and men’s lacrosse.

Participation in CSU Men’s Lacrosse is an opportunity, a privilege, not a right. I will always adhere to the rules established by Colorado State University, Campus Recreation, and the Sport Clubs Office.

I will not physically, mentally, or psychologically haze anyone as I respect the dignity of all persons.

All practices, games, trips, and club activities are DRY EVENTS. The presence and consumption of alcohol or illegal substances are strictly prohibited. I will neither use nor support the use of illegal drugs or alcohol at any club function.

Possession or consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in university-approved vehicles and at any time during travel pertaining to the travel dates. I understand that a trip begins when I leave my home and continues until I return home.

I will ensure that practice, scrimmage, and game sites are trash-free after use and that equipment is returned to its original set-up. I understand that this responsibility applies to all club members. I will leave it better than I found it.

I respect the authority of all game officials. At no time is it appropriate to demonstrably question the decisions and actions of game officials.

My actions or those of the team will never deliberately jeopardize the safety and well-being of opponents, teammates, officials, or spectators.

The perception of a gathering of lacrosse players can be potentially construed as a “lacrosse party,” which is against university guidelines. Team members may follow university and City of Fort Collins rules and protocols for hosting gatherings at their residence, but are subject to disciplinary guidelines as necessary.

I am responsible for attending all sanctioned team events, including fundraising, alumni relations, recruiting events, study halls, practices, games, film studies, workouts, and other activities.

I am responsible for following all federal, state, city, and university laws and policies. Breaking any law will directly affect my ability to be a member of the CSU men’s lacrosse program.

I understand the team does not allow players to participate in team activities who have been charged with or are suspected of committing a crime related to domestic violence or gun violence.

If I become aware that either of these incidents occurs. In that case, I am responsible for disclosing this information to the Head Coach within 48 hours of the incident or before participating in any team activities (including but not limited to games, scrimmages, practices, workouts, meals, etc.) whichever occurs first.

I must follow university procedures for injury and concussion protocol, including, but not limited to, obtaining a baseline concussion test prior to competition.

I must report any signs or symptoms of a concussion to our club’s safety officer(s) or coaches when they first appear.

I will return to play from a concussion when cleared by the CSU athletic trainer.

I will adhere to the terms of any equipment contract/agreement that requires each member to wear the appropriate equipment and apparel to each game and on trips. The specifics of what we are all wearing will be defined prior to each regular-season game and trip.

As a member of the CSU men’s lacrosse team, I also understand the following rules regarding dues and travel:

Dues

Dues Basics

Dues for rostered (active) players have two major components:  1) base dues and 2) travel dues.

Dues are calculated based on various factors, including roster size, travel schedule, equipment costs, facility costs, etc. The team is a non-profit program; program funds can only be used to pay for expenses the team has or will incur.

Generally, there are no refunds for any circumstances whatsoever, including, but not limited to:

Injuries, non-compliance, non-participation, and/or dismissal from the team.

Dues payments are to BE A MEMBER OF THE TEAM, not to receive any material goods.

There is a limited 35-40 man travel roster for each team trip via airplane.

There is the potential for a limited roster for each bus trip the team takes, subject to the size of the bus/van/etc., but every effort will be made to include all players to the bus with the team. Please note: this does not include the MCLA National Tournament; due to the unknown length of time and yearly change in location, the program evaluates the National’s travel roster year-to-year basis.

Paying dues does not guarantee playing time or making the travel squad for each trip.

The coaching staff will do everything possible to ensure that each active player makes at least one trip per year, but there can be no guarantees regarding playing time or making a travel roster.

Dues Amount and Payment Schedule

The final/total dues amount depends on this season’s total roster size, equipment, and other operational costs. Redshirt dues are anticipated to be less than estimated, but this cannot be guaranteed.

Base Dues: Rostered (active) players will all owe base dues, which will be $3,000 (estimated) to participate this season. The final amount depends on total roster size, equipment, transportation, and other operational costs for this season. It is anticipated that the base due will be less than estimated, but this cannot be guaranteed. 

Travel Dues: Rostered (active) players must travel dues, which will be $1,000 (estimated) to participate this season. Players will be responsible to pre-pay travel dues approximately 60 days in advance of the team’s departure to be considered eligible to be selected for the travel roster.

The travel roster will be announced approximately two weeks before the team’s departure. Your travel dues will be returned if you are not selected for the travel roster. Travel dues estimates are subject to change based on final travel costs; it is anticipated that travel due will be less than estimated but cannot be guaranteed. 

For Example the team may take two plane trips and one bus trip in a season

Trip #1 (via Plane) = $350 (estimated)

Trip #2 (via Plane) = $350 (estimated)

Trip #3 (via Bus) = $150 (estimated)

Conference Tournament (via Bus) =  Included with base dues

National Championship  Tournament (via Plane) = $400 (estimated) & due date: 3/10

Redshirts

Redshirt players will owe  $2,500 (estimated) for participation. Redshirts are expected to attend every practice and be on the sidelines for local games (in the immediate area surrounding CSU). Redshirts can compete in fall events and scrimmages but not MCLA-sanctioned games.

Redshirts will receive an appropriate team gear package.

There are redshirt staff/manager positions available in the spring. Should a player decide to redshirt after full dues are collected, the coaching staff and student leadership will evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis regarding “dues credit.”

Promissory Notes

“Prior arrangements” means the player will be required to sign a Promissory Note to ratify their commitment to paying dues. The note lists the specific dates your payment will be made to the CSU Men’s Lacrosse team. This option is designed to assist those with unusual circumstances or other hardships; it is not intended as a “payment plan” for most rostered players.

Delinquent Dues

Failure to pay dues on time or without “prior arrangements” will result in the inability to receive gear and reduced practice/play time.

Players who are delinquent on their past dues/promissory notes – are not eligible to participate in on-field team activities. 

Dues Collection Methods:  

Preferred method: direct payment to team treasurer via venmo @csulacrosse (or other acceptable direct electronic payment)

Secondary method: PayPal via Player Dues Tab

Note that using this method will add an additional 2.9% processing fee to dues.

Third method: Payment to team treasurer via check

Sponsorship 

Fundraising and Sponsorships—Players may raise money to alleviate dues costs, but it is their responsibility to acquire these sponsorships in accordance with CSU Sport Club and lacrosse program procedures. 

Personal Sponsorships affect only individual players. They may be taken directly off that player’s dues, but the sponsor does not receive any compensation for their donation. Personal Sponsorships can be made directly to a player from a company/person and are not tax deductible.

Team Sponsorships are reciprocal relationships between the team and sponsors, for which the sponsor receives a return on their donation. Revenues from Team Sponsorships are split evenly between the player and the team. We have a Team Sponsorship program available to every player, and they are tax deductible.

Academics

Academic Standards — Players are students, and athletes are subject to certain CSU Lacrosse and MCLA academic requirements.

Credit Hours—All players must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours to participate in sanctioned games or scrimmages (unless the player is graduating in the current semester).

GPA—All players must have a 2.25 GPA or higher to be allowed to participate in sanctioned games and scrimmages.

Failing a class—If a player is failing one or more courses, they will not be allowed to participate in sanctioned games and scrimmages until their grade or grades are brought up to passing standards.

Activity participation—If players are not meeting academic requirements, they will still be allowed to participate in non-competition team activities (practices, workouts, meals, etc.).

Study Hall — All freshmen are required to attend study hall, which will be held every Wednesday. It will be mandatory for all other players that have a 2.8 or lower GPA. If you are not a freshman and have a 2.8 or higher GPA, you will only be required to come every other Monday to meet with your mentor and check in on grades. During Study Hall, players must show their mentor at least one assignment submission. Study hall is crucial to our success because we are all student-athletes, so we put education first, and we aspire to maintain a high cumulative team GPA. 

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

I understand that being a part of this team means a certain level of increased exposure when it comes to social media. I am responsible for what I post on social media and will, to the best of my abilities, represent myself, my program, and my university in a way commensurate with that exposure. Never will I willingly or unwillingly allow posts of or by myself or my friends to in any way jeopardize the lacrosse program, my teammates, or my university.

This includes but is not limited to, inappropriate posts regarding alcohol, posts of a lewd sexual nature, “trash talking” other teams or universities, sensitive team or individual information, any illegal activities, “tagged” posts or videos by people outside the program, or any other reasonably offensive posts that could negatively affect our program.

By submitting my player information online and e-signing this form – I agree to have fully read and understand the contents of this policy. I understand the expectations set forth by this policy and will uphold said expectations at all times during my role as a member of CSU Men’s Lacrosse. Failure to do so may directly affect my ability to participate as a member of the program.