West Genesee High School was a "who's who" of lacrosse on Saturday, and for the 10th straight year the young lacrosse talent of Central New York and beyond is able to shine at The John Pepper Boys Lacrosse Tournaments. It's the 8th straight year that the John Pepper Wildcat Invitational is part of the weekend, giving high school varsity teams a venue to show off their stuff to the over 80 college coaches in the crowd. The West Genesee Wildcats were one of 16 teams in action, and their Head Coach Mike Messere could not be more proud of what this event has become.
"It's so well organized the coaches just love it," says Messere, "the way we've got it so close together, there's not much movement. These guys have organized this so well this is the tournament to go to. When they're done here they're done really for their recruiting this summer, so this is the last really big one."
The Tournament was established in memory of John Pepper, a former West Genesee lacrosse player who was tragically taken in an automobile accident in 2001, just as he was entering his junior year. According to the tournament's media release the mission of the weekend is "to bring together, athletes, coaches, officials, parents and fans to enjoy the "Creators Gift" of lacrosse. Sportsmanship, respect of the game, camaraderie and a day of celebration of all involved are of the highest priority. The John Pepper Tournaments exemplify these goals and it is our hope that these tournaments will continue to be the "premier" lacrosse tournaments of the summer tournament season."
Former SU Lacrosse goalie and West Genesee graduate says he remembers playing in the John Pepper Tournament very well, and was proud to be back watching.
"It just continues to grow year in and year out," says Galloway, "to be able to come out here and see some great lacrosse, to see all the college coaches on the sidelines, and to just see how West Genny gives back to the game. You can really appreciate it when you come back here and see these coaches and fans and parents able to watch their kids, it's just one of those things in the summer in Upstate New York that you get to enjoy."
Click on the video link to see more from the John Pepper Lacrosse Tournament.
