Editor’s note: The following letter is not a traditional Letter to the Editor, as it was sent to Marysville High School Athletic Director Ryan Walker, but we felt readers might enjoy the message it contains.
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Mr. Walker,
I would venture a guess that you often hear from opposing team’s parents when things don’t go quite the way you’d wish they would with regard to student conduct. This is not one of those letters.
Last night, the Marysville Varsity Men’s Lacrosse team conducted themselves in a way that should make you, their school and community proud.
At halftime of the game, the Monarchs moved to the side of the field so that a ceremony could be held on the field to honor 2011 UAHS graduate and lacrosse captain Kyle Vesper. Kyle is 25 years old, a former standout lacrosse player, and by all accounts a standout human being, who played four years of varsity lacrosse at UA before moving on to play at the next level at Denison University. He was also a strong student who continued on to grad school at OSU where he was studying to be a veterinarian when he was diagnosed with brain cancer last February. The prognosis is bleak. Just over one year later, he has lost his ability to walk, is in a wheel chair and can no longer speak. His dad relayed to the UA team that it is likely that he won’t live to see next lacrosse season.
Your team was gathered and kneeling on the side of the field – all completely appropriate behavior, no one would have asked for more. But when the UA community rose to their feet to recognize Kyle and show him our appreciation and support, the Monarchs followed suit. I looked over and tears came to my eyes as one by one your boys and their coaches rose to show their respect. I honestly don’t know how many people noticed, but for those who did, it was a beautiful symbol that as this young man faces his courageous battle, he is not just supported by our community, but the whole lacrosse family. You should be so proud of your coaches, the team leadership and the whole Varsity Men’s Lacrosse team for their actions.
I will add that UA was one of the first lacrosse programs in the area and has a storied history and a strong youth program that sees most boys starting lacrosse by the time they are in third grade, if not several years earlier. Because of that, a number of teams haven’t caught up just yet. When they get behind, we often see teams start to get ugly – they take out their frustrations with cheap shots and poor sportsmanship. That was not the case for the Monarchs. They got down, but they continued to play their game and give it their all. Their day will come. And until it does, they can rest assured that they have learned the much more important lessons of team, family and mutual respect that come from sport.
Well done Monarchs.
Chrissie Landolfi
UAHS Lacrosse Parent