Arrows Lacrosse Players Mentor Harlem Lacrosse Players

Each spring since 2017, the varsity lacrosse team has hosted a middle school team from Harlem Lacrosse at one of its practices, always a highlight of the season. The non-profit empowers children who are most at risk for academic decline and dropout to rise above their challenges and reach their full potential, on the field and in the classroom. 

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the Arrows were unable to host the Harlem Lacrosse team this season and plans to start a nutrition project were also put on hold. Instead, all eight senior players and a junior served as mentors to youth in the Harlem Lacrosse program, meeting virtually each week through Zoom to talk about academics and everything else going on in their lives. The Arrows guided the players in making schedules to structure their time, shared weekly goals, and gave advice on working out at home. They also sat in on several Zoom meetings with guest speakers, including Michael Sowers, a star Princeton University lacrosse player, and Mike Tollin, a film and television producer/director. The St. Sebastian's lacrosse program is also supporting in the 1st Annual Harlem Lacrosse Classic, a virtual fundraising tournament that challenges the lacrosse community to make a difference for Harlem Lacrosse student athletes. The Arrows have raised almost $1,600 so far.  

St. Sebastian’s relationship with Harlem Lacrosse was referenced in an article published in the June 7 edition of The Boston Globe, titled  "Awareness the first step for high school lacrosse coaches to address racism."

Read the PDF version of the article