THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Maritime men's lacrosse team held its annual fall ball tournament on Sunday at Reinhart Field, but it was what took place off the playing field that spoke volume of the program’s success. Prior to the games, the entire squad volunteered with 120 kids that participated in the free youth clinic. The team also urged clinic participants and those in attendance at the tournament to donate used equipment and there was a total of 265 pieces of equipment that were collected on the day for Operation Baggattaway.
“I am very happy with the turnout for this year’s clinic,” said head coach Dan Lawrence. “I am extremely proud of how hard the players worked with this year’s community service project. I’m grateful for all the donations and also the generosity of Lacrosse Unlimited. All of this equipment will go a long way in helping to establish lacrosse teams at U.S. military bases around the world.”
At the clinic, members of the Privateers’ coaching staff, as well as the entire men’s lacrosse team helped the youngsters work on their footwork, shooting, catching and throwing, groundballs and goalie drills. There were clinics for basic skills as well as an advanced position play program.
The donations came from the kids that took part in the clinics, the families of the Privateer men’s lacrosse team and from Lacrosse Unlimited. This is the list of what was collected: 34 helmets, 24 complete sticks, 25 handles, 30 strung heads, 11 unstrung heads, 30 pairs of gloves, 10 elbow pads, 2 bags of socks, 4 pairs of cleats, 2 goalie heads, 2 shoulder pads, 2 rib pads, 5 chest protectors, 1 bag of shooting strings, 1 spool of sidewall, 52 Balls, 29 Pieces of mesh and 1 traditional string kit. The donations will be made to Operation Baggattaway and be shipped to selected U.S. Military bases.
It was a fantastic afternoon in Throggs Neck as the team wrapped up its non-traditional fall season and will now look forward to the spring with high hopes.