WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL BOMBER ALUMNI LACROSSE GAME
On Friday June 27, 2014 the reigning Western Mass lacrosse champions from Westfield High School will take on a team comprised of alumni in the second annual Black Red Bomber Alumni lacrosse game. The game starts at 6:15p.m. at the high school field on Montgomery Road and an after party will be held at the Whip City Brewhouse in Westfield. The game is the brainchild of three teammates from Westfield High’s Class of 1983 – Mike Flynn, John Funaro and Mark Cavallon. Cavallon currently serves as the Bomber’s varsity head lacrosse coach. The trio were instrumental in the formation of the Westfield Cranx lacrosse club, which began in 1982 and is still currently playing in the Pioneer Valley Lacrosse League, a summer league comprised mainly of college and former college players. The event is primarily sponsored by Flynn’s law firm, Flynn Wirkus Young, which is headquarted in Quincy but also has offices in Philadelphia and Buffalo.
“We started this event a few years ago simply as a way to bring old friends together, said Flynn “but now we have begun to grow the networking aspect of this, and hope to provide a strong alumni base and connection not only for the kids coming out of the high school program but also for all of the alumni who show up and get involved.” Flynn was pleased to note that in only its second year the alumni game is beginning to pick up sponsorships from Westfield High alumni. For instance, Core Security of Boston – a firm headed up by another 1983 alum and former teammate, Mark Hatton – has also provided its financial support to the event.
Funaro added that “this is a really special occasion that we mark on our calendars every year, not only because we get to play with some old friends but also to establish relationships with the current Bombers as they begin their post high school careers.”
The event is particularly special this year given that Westfield recently knocked off Longmeadow 9 – 8 to win the Western Massachusetts championship, the first in the history of the 40-plus years that the Westfield High lacrosse program has been in existence. “There was nothing sweeter than finally beating Longmeadow,” said Cavallon, “and to see some of my old friends in the stands during the game really brought home the importance of the connection with our alumni. This event helps establish and reinforce that connection. I hope my guys are prepared come Friday because I know that the alumni, as happy as they are that we beat Longmeadow, will have a little extra incentive to knock off the high schoolers.”
That’s exactly what happened last year, when the alumni won 12-11, building an early lead and then holding off a late charge by the high school team, to win the Rusty Cup, which is a beat up old milk jug which goes to the victors of this game every year.
For more information please contact Mike Flynn at 617-773-5500 or 617-697-6100, or visit the News/Events page on the Flynn Wirkus Young website at www.flynnwirkus.com.
