As the wind rips off Lake Erie, causing temperatures to drop and leaves to fly, the Mercyhurst Men's Lacrosse team begins to take the field to face their first competition while playing for a cause. On Sunday, October 22nd, as a team, we participated in the "Lax for Life" fall ball scrimmages at Mercyhurst University on Saxon Stadium. The scrimmages comprised competitive contests between Mercyhurst University, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Capital University.
Lax for Life is a non-profit organization founded by former Mercyhurst lacrosse player Ryan Scoble. Ryan experienced heart failure in the spring of 2021, just a few months after his father received the same diagnosis. He received a heart transplant, which allowed him to start a new journey in his Life. During these troubling times, however, Scoble remained determined to make his return to the lacrosse field. After a lot of perseverance, allowing him to overcome challenges, he could return to the lacrosse field in the spring of 2023.
Lax for Life's mission is to bring life-changing opportunities to those in need through active participation and awareness in organ donation. Every lacrosse game played through the Lax for Life organization aims to cultivate a culture of organ donation awareness, where each game becomes a symbol of hope, renewal, and optimism. Throughout the Sunday event, many donations were made to the positive cause. Every dollar raised went towards advancing the vital cause of organ donation, bringing hope, health, and Life to those in crucial need.
Ryan was able to captivate the fans and teams today during the intermission between games with a charismatic speech. With genuine passion and unwavering determination, he shared his connection to the game of lacrosse and Mercyhurst University, which opened the door for him to continue his journey in Life. He shared his thoughts while in a critical condition, expressing worry concerning his ability to finish college, play the game he loves, or even survive. His story showed that lacrosse is not just about winning games but also about winning Life. Lax for Life's slogan is "Shoot For a Cause, Score For Life," showing that lacrosse is not simply about winning but playing for a cause and bringing awareness to the organ donation realm. It brought attention not only to the more significant issues in the world but to every person's ability to contribute to them.
The first game of the Lax For Life scrimmage tournament was against Ohio Wesleyan University. This game was very competitive, with both teams of comparable skill levels. The first scrimmage allowed our returning players to get back into the swing of collegiate competition. The close game was fun for both the players and those who watched. The second game, however, was a bit less competitive. This contest featured the Mercyhurst Lakers and the Capital University Comets. Playing against Capital University was done mainly by our freshman Lakers - giving them the opportunity to experience their first taste of college lacrosse. Between the games and the positive cause, the day of scrimmages promoted great morale across campus and all participating teams.
-Adam Oscarson
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