Take 5 with Bob at Sticks for Soldiers

Bob Vitale, President of the Board at Sticks 4 Soldiers, shares the passion that drives his mission, and invites us all to join in on November 27th at the 15th Annual Sticks 4 Soldiers Thanksgiving Lacrosse Classic!

IAFM: What inspired Sticks for Soldiers? What is your mission?

BV: To be blunt, it was the disconnect between us here at home and those men and women serving in our military overseas post 9/11. In this case Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2006 a group of Ludlowe High School boys lacrosse dads that included Mike Voucas, Jim Tommins, Mike Baldwin along with Coach Chris Parisi set out to build a stronger connection between the boys on the team with the men and women serving in combat. The idea was to raise awareness for the sacrifices being made by young Americans in foreign wars. Soldiers quite often only a couple of years older than the Ludlowe athletes. The mission had two parts 1) raising awareness, and 2) raising much needed funds for severely wounded soldiers coming home from these wars. And Sticks for Soldiers was born. It began with a tournament of four or six area lacrosse teams, and has grown to as many as 60 boys and girls high school lacrosse programs from across the state (and at least one program from Massachusetts that I know of). During the first four years the money raised from the annual tournament was donated to Wounded Warrior Project. Beginning in 2010, Sticks for Soldiers started naming an honoree as the beneficiary of the events fundraising. The honoree has always been a post 9/11 severely wounded combat veteran, most often living here in CT, although there have been several from outside of New England. I think this move alone, to name an honoree, had the most impact in terms of connecting the high school athletes to the sacrifices being made by those serving in our combat forces. And could there be a better time of year to raise awareness and give thanks than Thanksgiving? The tournament is played on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. We like to leave people with this thought when promoting the event, “This Thanksgiving, please help us give thanks. To men and women who changed their lives to protect ours.” To date Sticks for Soldiers has honored and supported 20 honorees. One person can make a difference, thank you Mike Voucas.

All pictures provided by Bob Vitale.

IAFM: How are the students involved?

BV: Those of us who have been involved with Sticks for Soldiers are known to remind the players (and their parents) that this event isn’t about playing lacrosse. It’s about thanking and helping these heroes who served our country with honor, pride and an unwavering commitment to the men and women standing next to them on the battlefield. Attend the noon ceremony on the 27th, and this will become abundantly clear. The athletes participating in their second, third, or fourth “Sticks” tournament get it, and they tell you so. Always driven by strengthening the connection between these young athletes and the wounded veterans, we aim to keep the bulk of the fundraising efforts in the hands of the students. The players do their own fundraising to come up with their team fee for the tournament, many far exceeding the team’s registration fee. We see the pride these players have when it comes to their individual and team fundraising efforts. They understand where the money is going, who they are helping, and why the help is needed. As the host lacrosse program, the Ludlowe boys team volunteers their time and energy in preparation for the days events. They also spearhead the effort in contacting college lacrosse programs in hopes of securing team gear and “swag” for the silent auction. And they do well, I can recall a Duke Lacrosse helmet signed by the national champion team making its way to the silent auction several years ago. Other teams have donated their time as well, helping with decoration, field setup and breakdown. Staples High School boys lacrosse has held their own in-season Sticks for Soldiers game as part of their overall fundraising goals. 2020 marked their 9th year of hosting such a game. Other programs across the state have expressed an interest in hosting similar games, a testament to the connection that’s been made across the CT lacrosse community.

IAFM: Who do you look to for advice or mentorship?

BV: We’re very lucky to have many parents from the “early” years of the tournament living here in Fairfield and actively supporting our efforts. Mike Voucas, Jim Tommins, and Chris Parisi have never stopped being involved in the event best I can tell. In fact, the Board created an Advisory Team this year just so we can keep them on a short leash. But seriously, these “founders,” plus several other longtime volunteers, provide a wealth of knowledge surrounding the event. From what it takes to put it on, to why it exists in the first place. We lost a dear friend and Board President over the summer with the untimely death of Jeff Casucci. It was a shock to us all and a great loss for the organization. As a West Point graduate himself, Jeff brought a military perspective that most of us simply don’t posses. And believe me, it’s helpful. We plan to bring someone with military experience to our advisory team as well; I think it’s important to have that perspective when looking for advice that supports our mission.

IAFM: What is your favorite memory from one of 14 Thanksgiving Lacrosse Classics to date?

BV: There are many, from watching the impact the event had on my two boys who went through the Ludlowe lacrosse program, to the untold volunteer hours my wife Cindy and I have (cheerfully) committed to the cause beginning in 2010. But the one that sticks out the most goes back to 2018, when I joined Jeff Casucci in awarding the checks to our two honorees from that year. The overwhelming emotion that washed over me simply from doing good. It was powerful, and maybe a bit unexpected. The two honorees had smiles ear to ear – I was just trying to hold myself together.

IAFM: What do you look forward to in this year's 15th Annual Thanksgiving Lacrosse Classic? Give us the event details so we can join you!

BV: As the current President of the Board, like those before me, I want the day to be sunny, temps in the 50’s, smiles, no injuries, absolutely no fights, a decent cup of coffee, no arguments with the ref’s (who donate their time BTW), AND silence during the noon ceremony where we reflect on the sacrifices the honorees standing beside us made serving our country. Sacrifices that most of us can’t begin to comprehend.

Come join us. Say thank you. And let the emotion of standing in the presence of heroes wash over you.

The 15th Annual Sticks for Soldiers Thanksgiving Lacrosse Classic

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Fairfield Ludlowe High School

Games begin at 9:00, Ceremony at noon

Sticks for Soldiers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, and 100% volunteer run and operated. There are no paid directors or advisors, and all proceeds from fundraising go directly to our honorees.