Granby Youth Lacrosse honors one of its own

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Lindsay Bugbee Crosby

Granby Youth Lacrosse honored a member of its lacrosse family and Granby graduate of the class of 2004, Lindsay Bugbee Crosby, on April 28. Lindsay passed away on July 4, 2018, shortly after the birth of her third child.  Granby Youth Lacrosse dedicated its 14th annual bantam lacrosse jamboree to her and renamed the lacrosse scholarship in her name. 

The jamboree was founded in 2006 by two of her former lacrosse (lax) teammates and friends. Lindsay was an inspiration from the very beginning of Granby Girls’ High School and Youth Lacrosse programs. She gave her knowledge and love of the game to countless players and coaches in Granby and beyond. To know Lindsay was a gift. Her radiant smile, raspy laugh and fierce loyalty to friends and family are unforgettable on and off the field. She was a true athlete, and lives-on as a motivation to play hard and have fun in the game of woman’s lacrosse and in life. Lindsay, who started her lax career on a boys’ team, played with pure tenacity and knew how to win or lose with grace. She was a true inspiration to any lax player who was on her team or lucky enough to have her as a coach. 

From Hannah Burnett, co-founder of GYL Bantam Jamboree, high school teammate and dear friend: “As the team captain of the first Granby women’s lacrosse team, Lindsay helped build the foundation of the incredible program you see today. Her athleticism, leadership and pure love of lacrosse made everyone who shared the field with her run harder and cheer louder. She gave it her all on the field, which led to some great lacrosse, and a couple of yellow cards! She elevated our game, but also modeled what it was to be a great teammate and friend. Playing beside her was a true privilege. We are grateful that her legacy continues through the Granby Bantam Jamboree and the Lindsay Bugbee Crosby Memorial Scholarship.”

Photo by Meggie Hennessey and Sophie Zacchera

At the jamboree, GYL paid tribute to Lindsay Bugbee Crosby with photos of her and sunflowers, her favorite flower.

From Cailene Gunn, former jamboree coordinator, player coached by Lindsay, and dear friend: “As a coach, Lindsay was truly inspiring. Her passion for the sport, compassion for her players and general zest for life made each time on the field feel like a gift. She was strong, tenacious, driven and authentic—a true role model, we all sought to emulate. Lindsay made us grateful to play lacrosse and grateful to be part of her team. Her raspy cheers from the sidelines will forever echo through the fields of GMHS and Salmon Brook Park.”

Photo by Meggie Hennessey and Sophie Zacchera

Referee Bella Vargas Blanchard sets up the center draw for Alexa Webster and her Wethersfield opponent.

The jamboree was organized and run this year by student co-chairs, Julia Olchowski and Mya Rivard. The proceeds from the jamboree went to scholarships for two senior lacrosse players who demonstrated a passion for lacrosse, leadership, good sportsmanship, strong academics and a willingness to give back to the community. This year’s recipients were Georgia McDougall and James Kuhnly. Both student athletes started playing lacrosse in Kindergarten. GYL and GMHS helped develop their lacrosse skills, and also gave them leadership opportunities on and off the field. In addition to both volunteering at the jamboree each year, Georgia was student co-chair for two years and James was named a captain of his lacrosse team this year. The character and leadership qualities they exhibit, along with the strong connections they’ve made with their teammates and lacrosse community will serve them well in the future. They both will be attending the University of Vermont in the fall. GYL remembers Lindsay Bugbee Crosby, a member of our lacrosse family, and we think Lindsay would be very proud of our recipients. We wish them all the best in the future.

Photo by Meggie Hennessey and Sophie Zacchera

Ben DelGallo dodges around his Vernon opponent as he attacks the goal.