Sometimes the good guys win!

I remember Cole Aikins as an 8th grader.  A 6 foot tall 220 pound monster from Novato who prowled the crease and protected the goal with an unreal intensity.  A gentle giant if ever there was one..... A bigger than life personality to everyone on the team - who despite the physical intimidation that comes with a lot of size, was a kind and thoughtful soul. 

Cole got his start in travel ball and stayed with us through his high school years.  

I remember one play from his first tournament with us in Lake George, New York. at the US Lacrosse National U15 Festival.  In an especially physical game against a tough New Jersey team, Cole made a save late in the game, and decided to go full field himself.  He revved up to full speed heading straight for the oppositions goal with the ball.  As he crossed midfield, with nobody willing to confront him in a head first collision, an opposing midfielder decided to take a cowardly baseball  swing at Cole's back.  The collision of hard stick with muscular back reverberated through the Hudson Valley, and I was sure Cole would collapse on the spot.  He kept going - with not so much as a dent in his gait, though he did scream a four letter word at ear splitting pitch that is not for family consumption, and kept going for his shot on the goal.  He did not score, but he proved he was the toughest SOB anywhere on any lacrosse field that day.  

A serious career threatening back injury from playing football sidelined him for a good bit of time, but he resolved to push himself and he made it back - stronger than ever.  He lost a lot of weight, and looked more like a linebacker than a goalie, but his quickness and fearlessness made him standout.  He chose to go to LImeStone College to play lacrosse - in South Carolina.  That is not an easy place for an African American from California to become a part of an athletic tradition.  But he made his mark, slowly at first, but this season, he realized his dream by being starting goalie and leading the team back to the NCAA Division 2 Championship.  

Cole continues to stay in touch - serving as a counselor for us in our Bear Valley Overnight Camp and playing on our Alumni team in Tahoe.  What always impressed me about Cole was despite his amazing athletic ability, most of the time he just wanted to talk about real life.  About the challenges of family and friends, about his struggles with trying to find his place in the world.  Though I know he often pondered emotionally tough matters, his smile was always infectious. 

I know we had a positive effect on Cole, and I can most assuredly say he has left his imprint on us.  Congratulations to Cole Aikins and his Limestone teammates