Marquette University Athletics
MU and Milwaukee Eagles showcase lacrosse at the Pentagon
1/18/2019 3:09:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
The showcase was held on Friday, Jan. 11 at the Pentagon
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fourteen members of the Marquette University men's lacrosse team joined with the Milwaukee Eagles for a wheelchair lacrosse showcase, encouraging veterans to stay active, healthy and involved, at the Pentagon on Friday, Jan. 11.
The event was made possible through a grant secured by Zablocki VA Center's Dr. Kenneth Lee, one of the founders of the Eagles wheelchair lacrosse team and was held at the Pentagon Athletic Center.
The Eagles, of the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association, and Golden Eagles played a pair of one-hour games and held an open-play session between the two contests for those at the PAC. The group also took a tour of the Pentagon before concluding the afternoon with the final game.
"It was extremely cool to be in the Pentagon, being the first time for a lot of us," assistant coach Jacob Richard said. "That was a unique experience in and of itself. More importantly, Dr. Lee has been such a good example of 'care for others.' He works so hard to create these opportunities for his patients and these veterans and is a great mentor for our guys."
The Marquette contingent also included coaches Joe Amplo and Stephen Brundage as well as 11 current and former players, some of whom left the Philadelphia area at 5 a.m. to get there. Nick Singleton and former Golden Eagle Ryan Geller, who coached the Eagles, flew in for the event.
"It was an incredible opportunity not only to build on relationships with the current Eagles athletes, but to meet other veterans and experience the Pentagon for the first time," Singleton said. "It was a very unique experience and something each of us will never forget."
Amplo, Brundage and Richard made the point to stop in Washington, D.C., before heading up to Philadelphia over the weekend for the annual US Lacrosse Convention.
"If we are able to help (Dr. Lee) in any way we jump at the opportunity. When he said, 'I have this grant to put on this showcase of lacrosse at the Pentagon, we'd love your help,' there was no hesitation on our end," Richard said.
Marquette first partnered with the Eagles in 2015 and coaches and student-athletes have coached the team on a weekly basis and at various national tournaments. The impact of working with the squad of veterans and disabled individuals has been greatly beneficial to the experience of MU's student-athletes.
"Hands down, it is the thing I'm most proud that we do here," Richard said. "The most meaningful part of coaching the (Eagles) has been outside the sport, interacting with the team. Our guys have a great opportunity to interact with people who have been through a lot of hard times. Seeing them overcome challenges to become a force in the wheelchair sport has become a lesson for our guys."
Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).
The event was made possible through a grant secured by Zablocki VA Center's Dr. Kenneth Lee, one of the founders of the Eagles wheelchair lacrosse team and was held at the Pentagon Athletic Center.
The Eagles, of the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association, and Golden Eagles played a pair of one-hour games and held an open-play session between the two contests for those at the PAC. The group also took a tour of the Pentagon before concluding the afternoon with the final game.
"It was extremely cool to be in the Pentagon, being the first time for a lot of us," assistant coach Jacob Richard said. "That was a unique experience in and of itself. More importantly, Dr. Lee has been such a good example of 'care for others.' He works so hard to create these opportunities for his patients and these veterans and is a great mentor for our guys."
The Marquette contingent also included coaches Joe Amplo and Stephen Brundage as well as 11 current and former players, some of whom left the Philadelphia area at 5 a.m. to get there. Nick Singleton and former Golden Eagle Ryan Geller, who coached the Eagles, flew in for the event.
"It was an incredible opportunity not only to build on relationships with the current Eagles athletes, but to meet other veterans and experience the Pentagon for the first time," Singleton said. "It was a very unique experience and something each of us will never forget."
Amplo, Brundage and Richard made the point to stop in Washington, D.C., before heading up to Philadelphia over the weekend for the annual US Lacrosse Convention.
"If we are able to help (Dr. Lee) in any way we jump at the opportunity. When he said, 'I have this grant to put on this showcase of lacrosse at the Pentagon, we'd love your help,' there was no hesitation on our end," Richard said.
Marquette first partnered with the Eagles in 2015 and coaches and student-athletes have coached the team on a weekly basis and at various national tournaments. The impact of working with the squad of veterans and disabled individuals has been greatly beneficial to the experience of MU's student-athletes.
"Hands down, it is the thing I'm most proud that we do here," Richard said. "The most meaningful part of coaching the (Eagles) has been outside the sport, interacting with the team. Our guys have a great opportunity to interact with people who have been through a lot of hard times. Seeing them overcome challenges to become a force in the wheelchair sport has become a lesson for our guys."
Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).
Players Mentioned
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