October 20, 2007
The University of New England men's lacrosse program hosted "Lax-4-Life" October 20 at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, and by all accounts the event was a huge success.
The event, which was the idea of UNE head coach Jon Hunt, featured teams from Thomas College, St. Joseph's College and Maine Maritime Academy. Each team played a pair of abbreviated matches to account for their non-traditional season outside competition.
The focus of the event was to raise money for the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center. The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital is Maine’s only certified children’s hospital designed with children in mind. Young patients and their families visit The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital more than 45,000 times per year.
High school first-year student Logan Jordan of Windham served as the Nor’easters honorary coach. Jordan has undergone three open heart surgeries, and has been a regular patient at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital.
"Lax-4-Life was a truly special event," Hunt reflected. "We raised more than $2,000, and I am very proud of the way our team represented the University. This is a day we will all remember, as it was a great opportunity to support such a worthy cause while playing the sport we all love."
The University of New England women's basketball team operated a concession stand at the event, with all proceeds being donated. The Nor'easter women's lacrosse team assisted with a raffle drawing. Local vendor Atlantic Sportswear also provided a great deal of support, donating items for the raffle, as well as all proceeds from selling some of its products.
Prior to the invitational Hunt and his lacrosse team received a letter from former President Bush and Barbara Bush, expressing their appreciation and support of the event.
Hunt is intent on making this an annual event. "I am very excited to see how the Lax-4-Life Fall Invitational will develop in the coming years," continued Hunt. "We hope it continues to grow and attract more attention and support."