STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Charlotte Verhulst had no shortage of reminders of her father's National Football League career while growing up.
"He basically has a shrine in our house," said Verhulst, a freshman midfielder with the Stony Brook women's lacrosse team. "His jerseys are all hung up with his helmets in the basement, and he even showed us fan mail he received. It was so fun to hear stories about his past and how my father was a top athlete.
"It all just seemed to rub off on me."
Sure enough, the 18-year-old Verhulst is following in her father's footsteps as an elite athlete, albeit in a different sport.
Verhulst, a St. Anthony's High School graduate, arrived at Stony Brook this academic year with quite an impressive résumé.
She is projected to start as a freshman for the Seawolves this season, while wearing the same number as her father did in the NFL — 86.
Father and daughter watched the Super Bowl at home together in St. James on Sunday.
No. 12 Stony Brook opens its regular season on Feb. 10 against second-ranked Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.
A Catholic League Player of the Year in high school, Verhulst helped lead the Friars to three Catholic League titles and a gaudy 76-6 record during her four-year varsity prep career. St. Anthony's lost to Sacred Heart in the title game during Verhulst's junior season in 2018 for her lone championship setback.
"I value my junior year the most because I learned that it's more important to lose in order to succeed in the future," she said.
Verhulst's father Chris played as a tight end for the Houston Oilers and Denver Broncos for four seasons beginning in 1988 — before daughter Charlotte was born. He retired the following year after suffering a preseason Achilles tear with the San Diego Chargers in 1992.
She began her lacrosse career at age 12.
By the eighth grade, she dropped playing basketball and soccer to focus on pursuing a potential college scholarship in what emerged as her favorite sport.
Now, the future is looking bright for Verhulst as she heads into her first collegiate season.
Despite being a freshman, she has already meshed with the seasoned veterans.
"The best part is that all of the girls on the team motivate you," Verhulst said. "It can get intimidating, because you have all these older girls who are just amazing athletes, backed by an amazing coach. But once you understand that lacrosse here is an everyday thing, I was able to bond with the girls who have been playing for years here."
Said Stony Brook coach Joe Spallina: "I have been so impressed with Charlotte. She has excelled on the offensive and defensive end as well as being fantastic on the draw. Before it's all said and done, I strongly believe Charlotte will be a player who leaves her mark at Stony Brook."
