Lacrosse team rallies behind new team motto
"Together Live Strong" inspired by head coach's battle with cancer
Ceit Love
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Sports
By Ceit Love
You may have recently noticed an increase in the number of buzzed heads on campus. The reason for this is because the lacrosse team has recently bonded together to show support for their head coach, Jack McGetrick, who is currently in treatment for prostate cancer.
"Blackjack", as he has been kindly nicknamed, has been the head coach of the lacrosse team at Bellarmine since the program started in 2004 and has been a prominent figure in the lacrosse community for decades. Last year McGetrick was diagnosed with prostate cancer but hasn't been slowed down since the diagnosis. On the Inside Lacrosse website, McGetrick says, "I'm determined to beat this…The [chemo] knocked me on my rear end at first, but I'm still able to function. They tell me its incurable, but I'm planning on getting it into remission and keeping it there."
His determination to fight the cancer is no surprise to his players.
Junior defensemen Drew Soeder says, "I've never met a harder working individual. He's a rock, nothing else to it."
His determination and contributions to the lacrosse community have inspired The Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association to set up a fund to help with the medical expenses of treatment.
This past weekend schools around the nation at both the collegiate and high school levels hosted camps to help benefit McGetrick.
Schools such as Duke University, Georgetown University, the University of Delaware and the Louisville Collegiate School hosted these clinics.
At the end of each of the lacrosse team's practices, the team ends with a huddle saying "Together Live Strong" as a tribute to the man who started the program six years ago. His love of the game can be seen throughout the entire lacrosse community as players and coaches across the nation have united in Jack McGetrick's honor and showing the true meaning behind "Together Live Strong."
Even though he has challenges ahead of him, McGetrick refuses to let that slow him down on the field. His plans for the Knights this season are still his number one priority.
The Jack McGetrick Fund is currently accepting checks of any amount to help with the high cost of medical expenses of the treatment. If you wish to help, checks can be sent to:
Jack McGetrick Fund
C/O IMLCA
PO Box 644
Foresdale, MA 02644
You may have recently noticed an increase in the number of buzzed heads on campus. The reason for this is because the lacrosse team has recently bonded together to show support for their head coach, Jack McGetrick, who is currently in treatment for prostate cancer.
"Blackjack", as he has been kindly nicknamed, has been the head coach of the lacrosse team at Bellarmine since the program started in 2004 and has been a prominent figure in the lacrosse community for decades. Last year McGetrick was diagnosed with prostate cancer but hasn't been slowed down since the diagnosis. On the Inside Lacrosse website, McGetrick says, "I'm determined to beat this…The [chemo] knocked me on my rear end at first, but I'm still able to function. They tell me its incurable, but I'm planning on getting it into remission and keeping it there."
His determination to fight the cancer is no surprise to his players.
Junior defensemen Drew Soeder says, "I've never met a harder working individual. He's a rock, nothing else to it."
His determination and contributions to the lacrosse community have inspired The Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association to set up a fund to help with the medical expenses of treatment.
This past weekend schools around the nation at both the collegiate and high school levels hosted camps to help benefit McGetrick.
Schools such as Duke University, Georgetown University, the University of Delaware and the Louisville Collegiate School hosted these clinics.
At the end of each of the lacrosse team's practices, the team ends with a huddle saying "Together Live Strong" as a tribute to the man who started the program six years ago. His love of the game can be seen throughout the entire lacrosse community as players and coaches across the nation have united in Jack McGetrick's honor and showing the true meaning behind "Together Live Strong."
Even though he has challenges ahead of him, McGetrick refuses to let that slow him down on the field. His plans for the Knights this season are still his number one priority.
The Jack McGetrick Fund is currently accepting checks of any amount to help with the high cost of medical expenses of the treatment. If you wish to help, checks can be sent to:
Jack McGetrick Fund
C/O IMLCA
PO Box 644
Foresdale, MA 02644
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