Delaware Men's Lacrosse Practices at Sachem

History was made at Sachem High School North last Friday when the University of Delaware men's lacrosse team practiced at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium.

It marked the first time an NCAA Division I athletic program of any kind used a facility at Sachem.

The team was on Long Island to mourn the death of freshman defender and East Hampton native Jared Bowe's father Chet.

Delaware assistant coach J.P. Brazel, a Hofstra alum, is friends with Sachem North head lacrosse coach Jay Mauro, so a call was made when the Blue Hens were seeking a place to practice before their long bus trip to the University of Albany, a team the Blue Hens lost to, 11-9, on Saturday.

They practiced for roughly 90 minutes.

"It's always good to see that level of lacrosse on one of our fields," Mauro said. "Their players and coaches were great. They went through a pre-game practice and then left. Lacrosse is a small community and anytime you can help someone out you try to do it."

"Our team was attending a wake for one of our players' father who had passed away early in the week," legendary Delaware coach Bob Shillinglaw. "The service was being held in East Hampton. We know the head lacrosse coach at Sachem North, Jay Mauro, and the principal, John Dolan, knows one of our players, Matt Stefurak, very well. The logistics worked out for our schedule. The facilities there are first-class and the school administration went out of their way to make our team feel welcome.  The University of Delaware is extremely appreciative of Sachem North's hospitality."

In case you're wondering if there are any other Sachem-Delaware connections, there are: Sachem athletic director Gary Beutel played football there, as did Ralph Gazzillo, a Sachem alum from the Class of 1997. Samoset physical education teacher and middle school boys lacrosse coach Matt Golini played there. Sachem North track and freshman soccer coach Ryan Stillufsen and Sachem North English teacher Jon Weston also both graduated from Delaware. Sachem East track coach Joe Coffey briefly attended the university.

Sachem North begins its own lacrosse season March 30 against Middle Country at 5 p.m.