Oct. 22, 2015
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" The Penn State men's lacrosse program welcomed back alumni and introduced the 2016 freshman class over the weekend.
The fifth-annual Alumni, Family and Friends event kicked off with an alumni scrimmage Friday night, followed by the Blue-White scrimmage. For graduated members of past Penn State lacrosse teams, this night gave them the opportunity to once again put on their beloved jersey and play on a field with their former teammates one more time.
The next morning, the weekend kept rolling with Penn State men's lacrosse's annual golf outing at Mountain View Country Club. Despite chilly temperatures, it was all smiles as the alumni and current players battled it out on the links.
As member of the 2014 class of Penn State men's lacrosse, Steven Bogert flew in from California to attend the weekend's festivities.
"The weather for golfing was definitely not ideal, but it was great to see some of my old teammates, coaches and friends," said Bogert. "It's weird to think that my time at Penn State is over, but it was great to be back for a weekend to be a part of it again."
A team banquet hosted at the Penn Stater capped off the weekend. The coaching staff summarized the 2015 season, handed out season awards, and introduced and welcomed the class of 2019.
Head coach Jeff Tambroni delivered a passionate speech about what it means to be a part of Penn State lacrosse. Tambroni told of how grateful he is to coach many years of tremendous young men and how the impacts of their time with Penn State will reach far beyond the lacrosse field.
Tambroni told a story of how the young men who collect rocks along their journey in life are the unselfish ones who collect lessons, learn to work hard and succeed down the line.
He explained that awards banquets are great, but it's the time spent with fellow teammates and former teammates that make weekends like this so special.
Tambroni urged his young players to ask themselves about their relationships with current and past team members and what they mean to each other.
"When I took this job five years ago I knew there was going to be an opportunity to travel on that journey today and now it's gone way beyond my wildest dreams to be a part Penn State lacrosse," said Tambroni.
The banquet concluded with a highlight film of the 2015 season, which spotlighted fond memories of the program's first Big Ten Conference win against Rutgers, and being a part of the first Big Ten Tournament. But Tambroni quickly brought the room of over 150 people back into focus.
"Awards nights are great and you hand out those awards and everyone claps but I think the true legacy is in those rocks, collecting rocks about what it really means to be a part of Penn State lacrosse," said Tambroni.