by Patrick MacConneach

Bedford NH - Saturday October 22, the weather outside may have been cold and damp, but inside the action was hot and steaming! Major league stars, Mikey Powell, Mike Battsita, Casey Powell and Boston Cannons head coach, Bill Daye had joined forces with members of the Olde New England Lacrosse League (ONELL) that raised over $7,100 for the American Red Cross to aid gulf coast victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These series of games called, "Lacrosse for New Orleans" was the idea Scott McKenzie of Nashua, who plays for the Rusty Bones Lacrosse Club of New Hampshire and is the founder of ONELL.

"In a casual conversation I had with my team mate, Dan Cunningham (Nashua NH) "McKenzie said, "I shared with him how I was moved by a gentleman from the New Orleans area who told me how he lost everything while he was traveling on business; only to return to what 'was' home, is now absolute devastation!"

Cunningham reminded McKenzie that ONELL was founded on the principles of older men playing lacrosse who help those who cannot help themselves. "The moment Dan said that, the idea of 'Lacrosse for New Orleans' emerged and over the following three and half weeks it had just about consumed my every waking moment" McKenzie explained about the conversation. McKenzie immediately contacted Rising Stars SportsCenter in Bedford NH which recently opened an impressive regulation size indoor facility that he believed would be the ideal venue for this event. The management team at Rising Stars graciously donated their entire facility to McKenzie for the cause. The local chapter of the American Red Cross was informed of this event and immediate offered their support as well.

Next, McKenzie approached Commonwealth Lacrosse which teamed up with Brine to donate commemorative game jerseys for all the players that raised money for this event. "Brine went one step further" McKenzie pointed out, "they told me they are sending some 'Pros' to participate in an effort to increase the turnout and that it did!" McKenzie adds, "I thought I was having a hallucination when I saw the email that indicated the Powells, Mike Battista and Bill Daye were coming to play."

Finally, Lynx Lacrosse was approached to donate the officiating. Bob Coutoumas (Merrimack NH), President of Lynx Lacrosse went the extra mile and also provided a professional photographer and a DJ, ". . . to enhance the ambiance of the evening" added Coutoumas.

On the night this event had taken place, the atmosphere was charged with excitement, especially when Mikey Powell performed a "signature" flip at midfield which caused the entire facility to erupt in applause and Bill Daye displaying his acrobatic moves in net while blocking shots! Cheryl McLarney, Executive Director of the Nashua and Souhegan Valley (NH) chapter of the Red Cross indicated her joy of, "how wonderful the lacrosse event was . . . and impressed with the level of organization and participation (especially on such short notice)!

At the end of the evening, in a conversation at midfield between Mikey Powell and McKenzie, Powell said, "if you have this event again, please put me first on your list to contact!"

The Olde New England Lacrosse League is considering a larger event for next year.

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From L to R: Mike Battista, Scott McKenzie, Bill Daye, Casey Powell, Mikey Powell and Bob Coutoumas