Women's Lacrosse Honors Veterans at High School Jamboree
Patchogue, NY| On November 8, 2015, the St. Joseph's College Women's lacrosse team held its fourth annual High School Lacrosse Jamboree: Recognizing and Celebrating Local Veterans at the team's home site, Danzi Stadium.
Beginning at 9:00 AM, high school teams battled each other in 7 v. 7 scrimmages, with three games being played simultaneously side-by-sidein 25-minute games on the lacrosse field.
At 11:30, the action came to a halt and over 125 female lacrosse players participating in the tournament gathered at midfield to form a canopy tunnel, stretching for 50 yards across the field. The local veterans in attendance marched through the tunnel slowly before being being introduced one-by-one by St. Joseph's head coach Bob Vlahakis. Each veteran was met with great applause and recognition from the crowd.
Following the introductions, Grace Blomberg, a local lacrosse player from Shoreham-Wading River High School sang the United States National Anthem. Grace had recently committed to play for the newly-founded Army women's lacrosse team, as the US Military Academy at West Point now joins the US Naval Academy in offering Division I women's lacrosse. After the performance, the veterans proceeded to a special luncheon set up in their honor.
The Lacrosse Jamboree continued in the background while the Veterans sat and talked, enjoying the luncheon, and reflecting back on their years of military service.
View a brief slideshow from the event here.
Reactions from the festivities:
"Thank you so much for the great day of both Lacrosse and of the tribute to our Veterans yesterday on the SJC field. My Dad was with us and really enjoyed the ceremony and stories of the Veterans. It was so touching and it inspired our family to have a meaningful conversation about how lucky we all are to be able to do the things we do because of all of our country's bravest."
- Lea Bryant, Mattituck parent
"It was nice to dedicate a day to honor the veterans for their service to our country. Being able to do this through the game we love was a privilege for us"
- Jessica Cordano, Senior Captain, St. Joseph's Women's lacrosse
"It always feels great to be able to make a day all about those who sacrificed many of their days for our country. Seeing the smiles on the vets faces as they walk down the makeshift tunnel really reminds me how important it is to show how much we appreciate them and their service. I really enjoy having that opportunity to do so each year with my teammates."
- Megan Haber, St. Joseph's Women's Lacrosse
"It's an honor to pay tribute to the Veterans who have put their lives on the line for our country. I get a great feeling to see the smiles on their faces when they walk through our lacrosse canopy. I am so honored to be part of this tradition for the four years I've been on the team."
- Nicole Danisi, Senior Captain, St. Joseph's Women's lacrosse