What’s next for the Class of 2025: Griffin Huff

“What’s next for the Class of 2025” is a series that features Lafayette grads—where they’re headed, and the mentors, resources, and experiences that inspired their future path. Stay tuned for more stories throughout May.

(Photo Courtesy Lexington Sporting Club)

By: Kelly Huth

Major/minor: Economics

Destination/future plans: Offered opportunity to play soccer for Lexington Sporting Club in the United Soccer League Championship.

Three days before winter break 2024, Griffin Huff ’25 got a call from Lexington Sporting Club offering the goalkeeper the chance to train with the team. Huff packed up his room, talked to his professors about finishing his remaining classes online, and headed to Kentucky. 

Since then he’s been getting plugged into the environment and is learning so much.

He’ll be back on campus in May to join his classmates as they walk across the stage at Commencement.

Involvement on campus: In addition to his role on the men’s soccer team, Huff was a member of Pard PAC (Presidential Advisory Committee) in fall 2024, where he and other students met with President Nicole Hurd and her staff.

He joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and was asked to be a leader his sophomore year. His senior year he started a weekly men’s Bible study group with fellow soccer players.

He also enjoyed volunteering alongside teammates in the Earn Your Spots Book Club and reading to elementary students at Cheston and Paxinosa Elementary Schools.

The experiences and mentors that mattered most: In the soccer realm, Huff says the game where he and his teammates beat American University at home in the 2023 semifinals is one of his top memories. 

But at Lafayette it’s the people he’s most thankful for.

He’s grateful to the coaches, and especially the athletic trainers in Kirby Sports Center—Dawn Comp, Alex Sobelman, Hiram Bonilla, and Celie Quintero Casanova. 

In the classroom it was David Stifel, Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics, who offered immense support during Huff’s time at Lafayette. 

Hongxing Liu, associate professor of economics, also had a large role in his success, and Huff took four of Liu’s classes. “She was fantastic—she has such a unique way of teaching and breaking down complex concepts.”

Huff says he valued being on campus, talking with people, and finding great friends at Lafayette.

On day one he was paired to room with James Macchia ’25, who became one of his closest friends and roommate all four years. “That guy’s my brother,” Huff says. 

FCA introduced him to fellow student-athletes Halee Smith ’25 and Chris Yoler ’24 who were “genuine and real and helped me get through tough times.”

“Don’t be afraid to talk to people—everyone wants someone to talk to,” he adds. “Everyone can get so inside their head. But you could help make someone’s day just by saying something.”

Huff says he’s also thankful for his family and his girlfriend, Irelynd Lorenzen, for their support and the time and effort they sacrificed to help him get through that phase of life.

Advice for fellow and future students: 

“College goes too fast—a cliche, I know,” Huff says. “Enjoy every moment. The good is great, but the bad … well, that makes the good even better.

Don’t dwell on the negative. Look at those moments and know more positive things are coming.”