Q&A with Luke Miller: Embracing Pressure, Brotherhood, and the Student-Athlete Journey

In our recent conversation, Luke Miller, a sophomore on the Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team, shared insight into his upbringing in Maryland, his path through high-level athletics, and the mindset that has helped him thrive both on the field and in the classroom. Luke speaks candidly about pressure, confidence, injury, advocacy, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who lift you up. His perspective offers valuable lessons for student-athletes navigating competitive environments while striving for balance, growth, and fulfillment.

Q: Luke, can you tell us a bit about your background? Where did you grow up and what sports did you play?

Luke: I’m from Severna Park, Maryland, about 20 minutes outside of Annapolis. I went to McDonogh School in Baltimore for four years. We had a lot of success as a team my sophomore, junior, and senior years and were fortunate enough to win the MIAA championship. I made a lot of great memories and met some incredible people there. Now, I’m a sophomore at Notre Dame on the men’s lacrosse team. Being a student-athlete has been a huge part of my life and will continue to be. It’s something I’ve done my whole life, so it feels second nature. I also played football in high school.

Q: With such a competitive background, how have you learned to handle pressure and high-stakes situations?

Luke: One thing we really emphasize at Notre Dame is the “next play mentality.” You’re only as good as your next play. You can’t get too low after a mistake, but you also can’t get too high after a great play. Staying level-headed is really important. Pressure is interesting because it either brings out the best in you or causes you to fold. Once you understand that pressure is actually a privilege, it changes your perspective. Those big moments are opportunities to rise up and show what you’re capable of. As a competitor, you want that pressure because it means there’s something meaningful on the line.

Q: What does a typical week look like for you as a Division I student-athlete, especially during the season?

Luke: At Notre Dame, you really live the full student-athlete experience. A lot of us are in the business school, so academics are intense. You’re balancing rigorous classes with practice, film, and lifting. Time management is huge. On a busy day like Wednesday, I’ll have classes from around 9:30 in the morning until about 3:15. Once 4:00 hits, it’s lacrosse time. We’ll usually watch film, then practice from 4:30 to 6:30, and lift afterward. Most days, you’re committed from morning until around 7:30 or 8:00 at night. There isn’t much free time during the week, but that structure is important. Notre Dame does a great job supporting us with tutors, study groups, and resources, which makes a big difference.

Q: How do you manage stress and stay balanced with such a demanding schedule?

Luke: It was definitely harder as a freshman, just trying to find a rhythm and understand what needed to get done each day. Once you learn to work ahead and manage deadlines early, the stress becomes much more manageable. Being busy is honestly a gift. It forces you to stay organized and intentional with your time. Even with a packed schedule, we still find ways to have fun and enjoy the experience.

Q: Do you have any strategies for mentally switching from the classroom to the field and vice versa?

Luke: Practice is honestly the best part of my day. I like how our schedule is set up — you wake up, handle your classes, and then you get to spend the afternoon and evening competing with your teammates. Sometimes I’ll listen to music, especially before games, but before practice it’s more about being around the guys, joking around, and getting into that competitive mindset together. Once you’re in that locker room environment, you know it’s time to lock in. Phones go away, and all that matters is getting better with your teammates.

Q: In such a competitive environment, how do you balance internal competition with maintaining strong team chemistry?

Luke: Any great team needs internal competition. You can be best friends off the field, but once the whistle blows, you have to compete. That’s how everyone gets better. It’s not about hurting your teammates — it’s about pushing each other to be the best versions of yourselves. At Notre Dame, everyone is very like-minded. We all want the same goal. At the end of the day, it’s about the team first, always.

Q: Have you ever struggled with confidence due to injury or performance, and how did you overcome that?

Luke: Definitely. My senior year of high school, I hurt my back playing football and missed the preseason and early games for lacrosse. When I came back, I was in my head. I was worried about reinjury and played timidly, which wasn’t like me. I struggled to find confidence internally, so I leaned on my teammates and close friends. They reminded me that mistakes happen and that they had my back. That support helped me regain my confidence and perform the way I knew I could.

Q: Advocating for yourself can be tough. Is that something you’ve always been comfortable doing?

Luke: It’s definitely challenging, especially at a young age. Advocating for yourself usually means stepping into uncomfortable situations. For me, it started early because I have celiac disease. I had to speak up for myself at restaurants and friends’ houses to make sure I stayed healthy. That taught me the importance of using my voice. Whether it’s in the classroom, the locker room, or life in general, being vulnerable and asking for help is powerful. It helps you grow and allows others to support you.

Q: Do you have a go-to song or artist you listen to when you’re locking in?

Luke: I’m a big EDM guy. There’s a song called “Borderline” (Vanic Remix) that I used to listen to with one of my best friends in high school. Our team would play it as the last song before games, and it’s stuck with me ever since. That’s always the final song I listen to on game day.

Q: Finally, what advice would you give your younger self?

Luke: I’d tell myself to enjoy the process. There are going to be ups and downs, and it’s important not to get caught up in rankings, comparisons, or setbacks. Just focus on getting better every day and having fun along the way. There are always more opportunities ahead, especially in lacrosse. When you enjoy the journey and trust that there’s a plan in place, everything tends to work out the way it’s supposed to.