Legends of lacrosse: Former Central players return for charity game

Central High School's first lacrosse team was rough, rudimentary, raw. Consisting of a handful of jokesters, they were more entertaining than talented, players say.

"It was a bunch of guys that couldn't pass the football physical but still wanted to play. If we couldn't get the ball, we would just use direct contact," joked Rob Foeste, a 2003 graduate and a member of the startup team.

"I think that first year the team won one game," Pierce Yates said. "But we had fun."

Since then, the club team has grown more accomplished -- practices are more rigorous, rules are followed, and their record has improved. But the charter members remain a respected "legend," Foeste said with a laugh, especially after they survived a tornado on the way back from a game in St. Louis.

Since graduating, most players haven't picked up a lacrosse stick. But they will be reunited for a charity game Saturday, where they will face off against the current team at Central.

Half the money raised will be donated to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank and the other half will be donated to Nothing But Nets, which provides mosquito bed nets to people in Africa. The nets help prevent malaria from spreading.

"Our son Jackson played lacrosse in high school," said Nancy Bahn, who is helping organize the event. "All the guys that ever played lacrosse just loved it. He's coming home for Thanksgiving, and we thought it would be fun to get everyone together for a game. And then we thought, well let's do it for charity."

The game will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at field 10 in Arena Park, off East Rodney Drive. Admission is $2 for students and $5 for adults, and hot dogs, brats and soda will be sold. For $10, a person can donate a net in their name.

"I wasn't sure about coming out of retirement until I heard it was for a good cause," said Lex Juden, a 2006 graduate.

The alumni players admit they may be a bit rusty. But they are also sure to outsize their opponents.

"I'll be fine as long as I get a chance to breathe every three minutes," said Yates, who graduated in 2004.

About 15 alumni will be returning for the game. Their coaches, who were students at Southeast Missouri State University at the time, are expected, as is Andrew Moreton, the student who started the team.

"It's going to be a party atmosphere," Foeste said.

This is the second local event recently to raise money for Nothing But Nets. In October, Grace United Methodist Church organized a benefit concert.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

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