NORTON, Mass. (WJAR) -- A Massachusetts lacrosse player is sidelined by an unusual problem -- his head is too big.
Alex Chu, a freshman at Wheaton College in Norton, cannot squeeze his head into the largest size lacrosse helmet on the market.
Chu is a would-be goalie.
The team’s season starts Wednesday.
“The only issue stopping me from playing is having a head that’s too big,” Chu told NBC 10 News Monday.
His head measures a shade over 25 inches around.
“My head is wide,” Chu laughed.
“Looking at me, I don’t think anyone says, ‘Wow, he has a big head.’ Usually, it’s like, ‘That’s a big guy in general,’” he said with a smile.
This issue did not crop up overnight.
Chu, who is from Mendon, wore a custom-made helmet while playing in high school. He said he had to get a waiver to wear it.
That helmet, however, would not pass safety certification at the college level.
Chu and his coaches have been trying to find a solution since last year.
In the meantime, he has been limited in what he can do at practice and can’t play.
“It’s been a difficult process,” Chu said.
“We feel awful for Alex,” said Wheaton men’s lacrosse Coach Kyle Hart.
Hart said they’ve tried to work with the major helmet companies and one is planning to ship a helmet to try this week.
“We have a few promising leads and we’re remaining very hopeful and encouraged that we’ll find a solution,” Hart told NBC 10.
Part of Chu’s frustration is he believes one company has made a special helmet for a player at a much bigger lacrosse school but hasn’t helped him.
“It’s been frustrating. It’s hard to see something I love feel like it’s getting away from me. I really do love lacrosse and it means so much to me,” Chu said.
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