Tyler Kopp and his family will forever be blanketed in the warm love and support that only the Lacrosse Family can provide them. Only the Lacrosse Family knows
how to comfort the nameless young boy who innocently fired a shot last Thursday that had consequences nobody could possibly imagine. The Lacrosse Family, like so many other "Sports Families" is strong, compassionate, and...to steal a line from Al Kerstein...fraternal.
Of all the sports and activities I involved myself in growing up it is the Lacrosse and Wrestling Families that adopted me. I spent years playing both sports and to this day some of my closest friends and most influential role models were teammates, opponents, or coaches in these sports.
But you see these Sports Families extend far beyond the borders of one's hometown. I grew up in Philadelphia and as I went on to attend SU I found Wrestling and Lacrosse Families in Upstate NY who took me in. Here in Rochester I've gotten to know many more members of these large families and in minutes of talking to another family member I find we know or share some of the same athletes or coaches or stories.
Six months ago the Wrestling Family wrapped its arms
around Warsaw's Aaron Paddock and nursed him back to health with prayers, encouragement, and support.
Over this past week the Lacrosse Family has done the same for Tyler Kopp, for his family, and for the young boy who was playing a game and firing a shot one moment...and the very next moment he was watching an opponent, a brother, fight for his life.
