Lead Domino media, powered by MDP Lacrosse, feels for the lacrosse community during this uncertain time in our lives. We especially feel for the members of the class of 2020 who have had their high school lacrosse careers end abruptly and unexpectedly. Our ‘Letters to Lacrosse’ project aims to give Senior lacrosse players a chance to pen a love letter to the sport they love and the sport that has given them so much.
Our first letter comes from Commack Senior Defenseman and Team Captain, Kieran Hendry. Kieran will be attending SUNY Maritime in the fall and will be continuing his lacrosse career.
Dear Lacrosse,
I remember the first time I held a lacrosse stick like it was yesterday. It was a warm May day and my parents brought me to the Mineola PAL house where I received my first stick, protective gear, helmet and uniform. I was the smallest 2nd grader in my class and had already been active in community sports by playing soccer, baseball, football and hockey. As an active child, my parents wanted me to try all sports to see which ones I would like. I was fast in soccer but did not have the foot skill at the time, I was too small for tackle football, but lacrosse felt just right. I quickly fell in love with the sport as we played games and received cool gear. I stood out on the field as one of the fastest players with a knack at getting the ground balls. I gained confidence in myself when scoring goals as well as made friends with my teammates. Over the next four years I played lacrosse with my friends in Mineola as well as joined my first travel team, Long Island Tomahawks. It was with the Mineola PAL that I attended my first NCAA lacrosse tournament in Massachusetts, and I was inspired to get to the next level so I could play in college. I played for Mineola until 5th grade when I moved to Commack where my life completely changed.
In middle school I was shy and lacked confidence. As a kid who had just moved to a new town it takes a toll on you. Playing lacrosse on my travel team allowed me to stay connected with my Mineola friends. In addition, knowing how to play lacrosse allowed me the opportunity to meet new friends in my new community. It was when I moved, that I made the switch from midfield to LSM and close defense on my new Northport PAL team. As I grew as a player, I switched travel teams to Igloo and under the guidance of my coaches, I trained to play against some of the toughest competition in the United States. I remember playing lacrosse was a great release for me. Playing in middle school made a huge positive impact on my life. I was able to communicate better with people and with this I made forever friends and had memories to last me a lifetime. I always loved the bus rides after games, whether we won or lost we would always be in a good mood singing, telling stories and listening to music. The experience that I had in middle school fueled my desire to continue to play in high school.
At Commack High school, I could not ask for a better lacrosse experience. Playing for Commack, I have continued to develop under the guidance of my coaches and teammates in following the three pillars of our program which is respect, inspire and support. These pillars are not just words but a mindset and a lifestyle that we as a team live by. My freshman year, I played on JV and we started out 0-6, teaching me to be positive even in hard times. We lost so many close games that season and when we won our first game it was that much sweeter. That year we finished 7-9 and from a 0-6 start it really showed me that if you believe in something and work hard to get better the results will happen. The next year was my first on Varsity and I was nervous. Once again, I was one of the smallest players on the field and I would be playing against kids who were much bigger than me and talented. To compete at that level, I forced myself to work harder than everyone. While I lack in size and strength, I hustled and made things happen. I challenged myself, going against the best midfielders on the island and got myself better. Lacrosse evened that playing field for me.
At the end of my junior season, I was named an ALL County player and I was honored to be named Captain and to wear the number 21 which is a Commack legacy number. It was at that dinner that speeches were read from former players that wore the legacy number before me. These former players were role models not only for their accomplishments on the field but off the field as well. I was honored to represent the number and play my heart out for this school and it saddens me to miss my senior season. Both my sister and brother had made the varsity lacrosse teams and we were looking forward to all playing varsity together for the first time. Lacrosse had become a family past time and something we all did together. I wanted to finish my senior year with my family and the friends I started playing lacrosse with. The news of the canceled season was heartbreaking. What I now realize is that lacrosse was much more than just a sport for me. Lacrosse has taught me to work hard, be humble, get up when your knocked down. It taught me to be strategic to be a leader and what it means to be a good friend, teammate. Lacrosse is my family. It is my hope that through the sport of lacrosse that I will represent the number 21 and that my actions will continue to show the respect I have for my coaches, teammates, school and future players.
I will be leaving Commack as a Captain, All County player and one of the Top 100 players on long island and starting a new chapter of my life in playing college lacrosse at SUNY Maritime. Lacrosse has opened doors for me and given me opportunities and friendships that I may never have had prior. Lacrosse has given me life lessons in perseverance, grit, work ethic and leadership skills. As I continue my journey with lacrosse, I hope to accomplish great things at SUNY Maritime and become an even better player. My goal is to be on the field for the NCAA with my team, a dream I had from my very first tournament. My hope is to share my passion for lacrosse by giving back and helping the lacrosse community that has given me so much opportunity and promise.
Sincerely,
Kieran Hendry #21