Lax community celebrates the lives of Elijah Ghabour and Ryan Andrew

Lacrosse is a brotherhood. And when members of that community are grieving, the lacrosse family comes together to support and help to heal the hearts of the families and friends who have lost their loved ones.

Friends, coaches, teammates and even sometime opponents competed in a memorial lacrosse game Aug. 11, at the Ocean City Lacrosse Classic to honor the lives of Cape lacrosse players Elijah Ghabour and Ryan Andrew, who were tragically killed in a car crash July 15.

There were smiles, laughs, hugs and tears as players told stories and remembered their friends.

The players were divided into Team True Gold and Team Endure Blue. The score in the game wasn’t important, just the love and camaraderie of the players and families.

“This is a great turnout for the memorial game for Elijah and Ryan,” said friend and teammate Eric Uffelman. “They were both outstanding guys who loved their friends and family. It was awesome to get together to have a fun game in remembrance of the boys. The best part was having both the boys’ brothers, Eddie Ghabour and Eddie Houck, out there to play with us.”

OC Lax Classic Tournament Director Colin Fagan, along with Cape lacrosse parent Neil Little, came up with the idea of a memorial game, and it set in motion the hearts of the community.

Lori Craffey designed the logos, donated and printed the uniforms, and came up with the team names True and Endure. She also made and handed out lawn signs that featured two hearts with Cape’s colors – one gold and the other Columbia blue.

“Long live our memories of these two amazing young men,” said Craffey. “Their spirits and friendships were true, and they will forever endure in our hearts.”

Beacon Middle School assistant coach Dave Leon acted as referee for the game. Cape players served as coaches, with Jake Hutchison leading Team Endure, while Patrick Little headed up Team True.

“When Neil Little told me about this game, I was so excited,” said Cape head coach Geoff Shupard. “The way everyone was able to work together and make it happen is inspiring. I loved seeing a lot of the kids together again. Our community is truly remarkable. To see so many people from all over the state suiting up and playing the game we love to honor Ryan and Elijah is something I will never forget.”

The Cape booster club extends thanks to game organizers Colin Fagan and Neil Little, Benchmark Physical Therapy and Delaware Sports Media, which includes Matt Morgan, Ethan Jack and Bob Uffleman, who livestreamed the game.

“We talked on the broadcast about how lacrosse is also known as the medicine game,” said Uffleman. “There’s a history of using the game to heal the sick and honor the deceased. This was more than an athletic event.”

Gretchen Powell, director of operations at Powell Lacrosse, donated two sticks to give out to the game MVPs. They went to the brothers of Ryan and Elijah.

The Cape lacrosse boosters are creating a scholarship in the names of Elijah and Ryan. Donations can be made directly to Cape Henlopen Boys’ Lacrosse Boosters, either by mailing a check to P.O. Box 589, Nassau, DE 19969 or via Venmo @CapeBoysLacrosse-Boosters, attn: Ryan and Elijah.

The game can be seen on YouTube under Delaware Sports Media, Long Live Memorial Game.