The Lafayette girls and boys lacrosse teams will play for a larger cause Saturday, April 27 when they host games in connection with ‘15 for Life’ – an organization that raises awareness of mental health.
Lafayette hosts Eureka in girls lacrosse starting with the JV game at 11:30 a.m. and followed by the varsity matchup at 1 p.m. The Lancers boys lacrosse team hosts Wentzville at 3 p.m. followed by the JV matchup at approximately 4:45 p.m.
The organization ‘15 for Life’ was started in 2021 by family members of Rob Kavovit, a three-time, high school lacrosse state champion at Yorktown Heights (NY) and national champion at Syracuse, who took his own life at the age of 45. Kavovit wore uniform No. 15 at Syracuse.
Lafayette girls lacrosse coach Keith Brisotti attended Siena College with Rob’s brothers Jeff and Greg Kavovit. Brisotti worked with Jeff Kavovit to organize the event, which will include orange ‘15 for Life’ practice shirts worn by both the Lafayette and Eureka girls lacrosse teams, helmet decals worn by the Lafayette and Wentzville boys lacrosse teams and opportunities for spectators to donate to the cause.
According to the 15forlife.org website, the organization seeks to … “shed the shame and embarrassment around depression and mental illness by opening dialogue so that others can be better equipped to handle illnesses in themselves, family and friends.”
The organization encourages athletes to treat physical and mental wellness equally.
“Nothing frightens me more as a parent and a coach than when somebody could be suffering silently and not talking about it, and then you don’t know until it’s too late,” Brisotti said. “I can’t think of anything scarier than that.”
There will be no charge for admission to watch the games in person. Donations will be accepted. The girls and boys varsity games will be broadcasted on Prepcasts.com, which is not charging a broadcasting fee. Buzz Swanston and Bob Panke will call the girls game and Brisotti will join the broadcast team for the boys game.
“Anything we can do to help raise awareness, get the conversation going, and get people to realize it’s an amazing strength to speak up and ask for help when you’re suffering and not a weakness, is huge,” Brisotti said.