This past Monday night at Bishop Ireton, the men’s lacrosse team had a special presentation. The team gathered together for the kickoff of the season with a pasta dinner where coaches also presented this year’s team with their jerseys.
The surprise was that the first jerseys handed out this season hold a special meaning to Bishop Ireton and especially to the men’s lacrosse program. The #15 jersey is a symbol in the program because it was worn by a special young alumni that would do anything for our “Team”. The emphasis on “Team” is significant because our honoree not only touched the lives of people directly associated with the lacrosse program, but the many friends, families and school community that is Bishop Ireton.
In April 2010 the men’s lacrosse family lost a cornerstone member of its alumni unexpectedly when Chris Delaware, class of 1998, died. He was an outstanding young man who would put anyone’s needs above his own to ensure their success. He not only excelled on the field as a player but also selflessly returned to Bishop Ireton to man the sidelines as a coach so he could share his passion, knowledge and attitude to shape future young gentleman. So to honor this great alumnus’s contributions and his life, the program will annually present a player at each level with the #15 jersey to carry on his memory.
Former varsity head coach Joey Kestermann, a close friend, teammate,and no stranger to the program made the presentation after honoring the memory of Chris Delaware before presenting the first jersey of the year.
This year’s honorees are both well deserving leaders on and off the field. At the Varsity level the recipient was Ryan Verducci and the JV recipient was Liam McHugh.