Lacrosse event supports veterans

  • Published
  • By Jessica Casserly
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Members of Team Hanscom will have the opportunity to take part in a free, 24-hour lacrosse event in the local area when Massachusetts, hosts Shootout for Soldiers beginning at 6:30 p.m. June 26.

For the first time since the program's inception in 2012, Shootout for Soldiers will be held at Cumnock Fields next to Harvard Stadium. The event will feature 24 consecutive one-hour lacrosse games, music and a variety of other activities. 

According to Nina D'Agostino, Shootout for Soldiers press coordinator, the program's mission is to use the platform of lacrosse to engage communities with their local veterans and support veterans' healthy and successful transition into civilian life. 

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Sullivan, a Ph.D. student at Tufts University and a Hanscom resident, is the volunteer organizer for Shootout for Soldiers Boston.

"We will have approximately 48 teams playing during the event," Sullivan said. "The first game to kick off the 24-hour event will feature two teams of military veterans of all ages playing against one another. Even the referees for that game will be veterans."

The event will also offer a chance for veterans and other attendees to meet major league lacrosse players from the Boston Cannons.

In addition to attending the event as a spectator, volunteer opportunities are available for veterans interested in sharing their military experiences, Sullivan said.

"Veterans can sign up to be 'Honorary Team Captains.' No lacrosse experience or understanding of the sport is necessary," Sullivan said. "Honorary captains will be with their team before, during and after their respective game to share their experiences as a veteran with the members of their team."

For additional information about the Shootout for Soldiers Boston event, please visit www.shootoutforsoldiers.com. To learn more about volunteer opportunities as an honorary captain, please contact Sullivan at michael.sullivan@tufts.edu.


Editor's note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only. No endorsement of the event by the DoD or the Air Force is implied or intended.