Rising from Asheville: Lacrosse After Hurricane Helene

Four weeks ago, Hurricane Helene brought devastating destruction to many parts of the Southeastern United States. The widespread damage was as severe in western North Carolina as just about anywhere, with the eye of the storm passing through Asheville on September 28. The region encountered once-in-a generation flooding, widespread water and power outages, downed trees, damaged structures, and extensive debris. It was an unprecedented disaster.

Unfortunately, the lacrosse community was not spared.

Asheville Empire Lacrosse, a non-profit youth organization offering rec and travel options for boys and girls, ages 6 through18, was dealt a serious blow by Helene. Playing fields and practice fields were flooded and damaged so severely, covered in mud and muck, that they have been rendered unplayable for the foreseeable future. Goal cages and other equipment were washed away completely.

“This flooding, and all that has been lost, could severely set back lacrosse development in this area for many years,” said Drew Koch, board president for Asheville Empire.

Against that backdrop, USA Lacrosse stepped in to provide some help, hoping to get Empire Lacrosse and other local organizations back in action. Led by regional director Lou Corsetti, the national governing body mobilized regional support to provide resources that will help Empire get its players back onto the field.

Corsetti, based in Atlanta, began reaching out to local organizations to ask for equipment donations that could be delivered to Asheville. As the word spread, gear began arriving at Corsetti’s house, which became one of the ad hoc collection centers.

“My porch was filled up pretty quickly,” Corsetti said. Additional donations were collected at the Fellowship Christian School, where Corsetti coaches. Many of the youth lacrosse organizations in Georgia provided aid. Financial contributions and clothes, as well as badly needed baby formula and diapers, were also collected.

“Lots of people rallied to provide help,” Corsetti said.

This past Sunday, with help from local parents and players, all of the donated equipment and supplies were loaded into a rental truck for the three-hour trip to Asheville.

“We had 50 helmets, over 100 sticks, arm pads, gloves, goggles, cleats, goalie equipment, five heavyweight goals and a pitchback,” said Corsetti, who chauffeured the equipment northward with longtime USA Lacrosse volunteer Don Stoppenbach serving as his co-pilot.

As they began drawing closer to Asheville, the widespread devastation was readily apparent.

“There are trees down everywhere and lots of places still appear to be underwater,” Corsetti said.

But he also saw an encouraging sign. As the truck arrived at its destination, Corsetti and Stoppenbach found kids out on a field playing lacrosse. A girls’ practice was in progress. The game was still alive.

Empire, which services about 500 youth participants, had been reaching out its member families in recent weeks to gage their interest and ability to return to fall play. The responses reflected an eagerness by players to be active again, and once available fields were located, the momentum built.

Fall Ball Sundays, one of Empire’s rec initiatives that focuses on skill development in a low-pressure environment, with USA Lacrosse certified coaches as instructors, was back on the field.

“We definitely have players, and we have temporary fields,” Koch said. “But we desperately needed game goals. Through the years, we had invested in sturdy goals, 10 total, that were swept away by the flood waters. The few that are still here are covered in mud and contaminated with toxic residue.”

That’s why the delivery from Atlanta was such a welcome sight.

“It's one thing to call this game the medicine game, to talk about the roots, and explain how great the lacrosse community is, but it’s an amazing thing to see it in action,” said Dylan Mandeville, a program leader for Asheville Empire. “This is the medicine and community that shows up all the time, and believe me, this time it's so needed and appreciated.”

Corsetti put a long day of travel into the proper perspective.

“In times like these, lacrosse might seem like the least important thing when our brothers and sisters are facing such hardship, but seeing the smiles on those kids’ faces reminded us of how much joy and hope this game can bring,” he said. “I also had the chance to share Gordon Corsetti's story about ‘taking care of your crew’ and reminding everyone that no matter what we do in life, taking care of each other is what truly matters.”