Wayne Lacrosse Day to raise money for two local families by Sean Farrell of The Record
The catchphrases of the game don’t mean much to coach Marc Jacobson.
There is determination and struggle on the field.
And then there’s what Jake Rudd and Matthew Polifonte are going through.
Rudd is a 13-year-old lacrosse player in Wayne with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma. Polifonte is a 10-year-old who was injured in a car crash on his way to a lacrosse tournament in late March.
They are why Saturday’s Wayne Lacrosse Day will be about more than just a crosstown rivalry.
It will be devoted to these two children and to raising money for their families.
Rudd will be on hand as an honorary captain.
“We talk in sports about determination, struggle and hardship,” said Jacobson, the Wayne Hills boys lacrosse coach. “It’s not real life. It’s important for these kids to see what real determination and real struggle is. See what real people have to do when they’re faced up against what Matthew and Jake are. That’s real world. That’s real bravery. That’s real sacrifice. Playing a kids’ game and coaching a kids’ game is fun.”
Jacobson and Wayne Hills (9-2) have enjoyed a turnaround year in 2017. The Patriots are the top seed in the Passaic County tournament with Jack Coleman and George Capria leading a balanced offense.
They host Wayne Valley at 7 p.m. to cap off a long day of festivities at Wayne Hills.
The Patriots and Indians face off in girls lacrosse at 5 p.m.
Youth tournaments take place for most of the day. Volunteers will collect donations. Proceeds of food and clothing sales will go to the Rudd and Polifonte families.
Jacobson said that Polifonte was recently brought out of a medically-induced coma.
“It’s kind of a way that we can give back in a very small way,” Jacobson said. “But it’s also a reality check. You got to love playing this game and got to love being on the field every second.”
The Wayne community has already shown their support.
A GoFundMe page for Rudd has raised more than $36,000. One for Polifonte drew nearly $73,000 as of Friday evening. Wristbands have also been sold with Polifonte’s number and initials.
“That’s the great thing about Wayne in general,” Jacobson said. “While there’s a rivalry on the field, anytime there’s somebody in need, it doesn’t matter if you’re Wayne Hills or Wayne Valley.”
“You’re just Wayne.”