In March, Scott’s sister, Susan, started a GoFundMe to raise money for the Huffs while Scott takes leave from work. In six days, family, friends and former players and teams left heartfelt messages while donating more than $175,000. At the date of publication, the GoFundMe has eclipsed $205,000.
It’s hard to explain how much the support from donors, extended family and teammates means. It’s why, before USC’s first game against San Diego State on Feb. 12, when Kelsey Huff first saw her dad’s initials etched into her jersey, she didn’t say anything. She just cried.
“I play for every single girl around me, but this year, especially, I play for my dad,” she said.
After seeing the pink “SH” with a heart next to it and not having told her teammates of her dad’s cancer battle yet, she ran out of the locker room and called her parents.
“When we picked up the FaceTime, she was hysterically crying. We thought something was wrong,” Teresa Huff said. “By the end, I think we were all in tears. It was amazing for [USC coach] Lindsey [Munday] and the athletic department to do that because it’s so hard for Scott not to be there. We hope it helps Kelsey in our absence because Scott is her best friend.”
Second-seeded USC will meet third-seeded Arizona State in the Pac-12 semifinals this week. In 12 games, Huff has a career-high 44 goals. The newly crowned Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year (who also won the award in 2021) is also shooting a career-best 52.4 percent for a USC team that has resided comfortably in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Top 20.
Losing is irregular in the Huff house, and Scott’s battle is no different.
“Scott’s surgeon said 10 years ago, our conversation with doctors would be very different than what it is now,” Teresa Huff said. “There are therapies and treatments proven to be very successful. Without a doubt, we are hopeful. Scott’s always a positive person, and it waxes and wanes a little, but he’s going to do this. He’s going to do this for his family.”
*Editor’s note: Teresa Huff indicated to USA Lacrosse Magazine in a recent update that Scott Huff’s treatments are doing more harm than good. The family’s priority now is to make sure he is comfortable.