Dear Lacrosse, ________ .

Dear Lacrosse,

Thank you.

Four years ago, Nate was the only kid that was willing to hop in the cage for his Gates Chili Modified Boys Lacrosse team. Little did we know where things would go from there. As I sit here typing out this letter after his Senior Varsity Lacrosse season at Gates Chili has come to an end, I have nothing but gratitude to the game and feel so lucky about all the coaches, teammates, officials, and parents that we have interacted with over the last four years. I also feel so blessed that Nate will have great coaches and teammates to help him on his college journey at Morrisville State College.

Lacrosse is known as a white, upper class sport. But, I am thankful for the diversity of teammates that Nate has had throughout his time at Gates Chili. The eight seniors on the Spartans lacrosse team this year represent that diversity well. There are four white players, including Nate, in the Spartans lacrosse class of 2022. But, there is also a player who is Vietnamese, a player that is Turkish, a player with Native American ancestry, and a player who is half African-American and half European-Canadian. 

The starting defensive unit of three longpoles and the goalie had a similar mix. This time it was two white players, the half African-American and half European-Canadian, and a Latino player.

There is also diversity in ways that don't show up in pictures or on questionnaires about diversity. One family on senior night required an American Sign Language interpreter, for instance. And another senior has two LGBTQIA+ siblings.

I also know that Nate's future team will have diversity, as well. While checking the roster for other Rochester area players, it was awesome to see that the two Section V players on this year's roster were African-American. 

I am thankful that lacrosse provided a way to show Mrs. Swiech that Nate and Ty are doing great. She was the reading resource teacher at their elementary school. With Nate and Ty getting ready to graduate and play lacrosse in college starting in the fall, I tried to let her know how they were doing. She was able to make it to one of their games and get a picture with them after the game. It was great to give her that memory.

I am thankful that Nate has an idol like Blaze Riorden. I am extremely thankful that Nate was able to work with Blaze for three days after the PLL stop in Albany last year with Joe Walter's Dream Big camp here in Rochester. I am sure that helped contribute to Nate's great performance in goal during his senior season.

I am thankful that we could get back to this before games this season. After not allowing this pre-game tradition due to COVID in 2020, Nate enjoyed this pre-game ritual. I enjoyed watching Nate slap five with the other goalie and then sprint to his cage and go through his little routine that was likely partially inspired by Blaze's pre-game routine.

I am thankful for Nate's favorite season yet. And I am thankful for the memories that I am sure will come in the future.