Name: Jeff Lagos
Graduation date: 1989
Sport: Baseball
Position played: Pitcher
Jersey number: 35
Degree: Finance
Profession: President, Insurance Office of America
Spouse: Lisa (also UCF, 1989)
Tell us about your children
My son Kevin is a double UCF grad. He has got both his undergraduate degree and masters in Industrial Engineering from UCF. My daughter Marisa was the black sheep of the family and went to Rollins. She graduated with a double major in Business Management and History. Both of them work at Insurance Office of America. Kevin is an Industrial Engineering Consultant and Marisa is a Commercial Insurance Agent and manages our international business placements.
Why did you choose UCF?
My older brother, Mike, went to UCF and was enjoying his experience. Since he enjoyed it and I was a local kid (I went to Colonial High School) it was a natural fit for me to go to UCF as well.
What would you tell other alumni about the value of donating?
The value of our degree increases as our school becomes more well known. By far the best way for UCF to become a household name is through sports. Our graduates are going to be more valued in the marketplace because of it. Supporting our student-athletes not only helps kids go to college who might not have been able to, it helps increase the value of the degree held by every person who went to UCF.
What makes you proud to be a Knight?
There is a lot to be proud of. I love how the school has continued to improve both its academic and athletic programs. Because we are a younger school, we have been playing catch up to much older more established institutions. Watching us catch up to and in many cases pass those types of schools both academically and athletically is an awesome feeling.
Who played a large role in your success at UCF and why?
My father had the most impact on me. As a teacher he made sure I understood the value of an education and as a former athlete (he played basketball at Seton Hall) he helped me develop the work ethic needed to be able to compete in college athletics. He and my mother were also huge supporters of the program while I was playing. He still goes with me to games today.
How did being a former student-athlete shape you into the person you are today?
There are many things that help make a person successful. IQ, EQ, your network, work ethic etc. However, if you don't have grit those things will only get you so far. Angela Duckworth defines grit as "perseverance and passion for long-term goals." There is no doubt balancing the demands of both school and sports helps develop that characteristic.
What's your favorite memory as a fan at a UCF game?
There have been a lot of great memories due to the recent success of the programs, but it will be very hard to top the first football game in our on-campus stadium vs Texas. When we had the jet flyover prior to kickoff it was a surreal experience. As someone who had been attending games since I was in high school, it was fantastic to be a part of that day.
What would be your advice to current UCF student-athletes?
Take the time to enjoy the journey while you are playing. This time of your life will fly by very quickly, so if you don't stop and savor it, you will miss a big part of the experience. Having said that, keep your focus on the classroom. Preparing for life after playing sports is imperative to your long term happiness.
What is the most important lesson you have learned in life?
Value and appreciate those people that you love. If you work hard to make those relationships strong, it will be the basis for having a happy life.
Do you have any funny stories from when you were at UCF?
I was not a very good pitcher, I threw pretty hard, but when I was not on top of my game it was pretty ugly. My junior year Georgia came to town as a very highly ranked team. We beat them on Friday night (Brian Ahern and Rich Pollack pitched very well), so on Saturday they were looking for revenge. I didn't start that game but I came in relief when we were already down a few runs. The first batter hit a double, the next hit a long home run, the third batter hit another double and the fourth guy hit a home run that still has not landed. When Jay Bergman game to the mound to take me out, he could see I was pretty dejected. So to make light of the situation, when he asked for the ball, he said "Jeff, I'd like to keep you in but NASA called and you are screwing up their radar". It was really a good line. I reminded Jay of that line a few years ago when we were playing golf. He didn't remember saying it and he thought it would have been mean, but at the time it made me feel better because he had a grin on his face and I could tell he was trying to help me understand it was just one game and it was a long season.
What are three fun facts about you?
- I'm a geek. I loved comic books as a little kid and today I enjoy the superhero/fantasy movies. I still read science fiction/fantasy books when I have time.
- I inherited my mother's love of travel. I really enjoy going to new places and experiencing different cultures.
- I have an Irish Pub in my house. Our first trip to Ireland was for the UCF/Penn State game. I had always been a bourbon guy, but on that trip I fell in love with Irish Whiskey. So when we remodeled our house, Lisa let me have an Irish Pub put in. It's a great place to display and share my rather extensive Irish Whiskey/Bourbon collection.
Final thoughts?
Once a Knight, always a Knight. As a school we have been on an uphill climb to reach our potential because of our relatively short history. We have so many things going for us, but for us to truly reach the greatness we all see is possible, our alumni will have to stay engaged with the school. Support the sports teams, support the department you got your degree from, visit the school and donate what you can. It will take all of us, students, faculty, staff and alumni for us to be what we all know we can be.