Nov. 12, 2008

by Jac Coyne, Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff

Almost two years ago, I wrote a column on this site recognizing the efforts of Tom Borrelli, the godfather of lacrosse writers, who was inducted into the National Lacrosse League's Hall of Fame. It was a meandering tale of Borrelli's journalistic upbringing in the sport and how he became the writer everyone in the business strives to be.

For everything Borrelli's done for the sport, it is time for us - everyone whoever carried a lacrosse stick or writer's pen - to give back, if only in the form of prayers for his recovery.

Borrelli is currently breathing with the aid of a respirator and has no feeling in his arms and legs after he fell down a steep set of stairs at a Buffalo-area high school while covering a football game last week, according to The Buffalo News, the newspaper Borrelli writes for while not contributing to Lacrosse Magazine.

There is hope that after the swelling subsides, he will recover. While his wife told The News, "He can understand, he's in there," a long battle may lie ahead.

To say we here at US Lacrosse and Lacrosse Magazine are preoccupied with Borrelli's condition is an understatement. A writer for LM for 16 years - the longest-tenured member of our staff - Borrelli's NLL coverage has been an anchor for us.

"There are so many times we say that we need a `Borrelli' to cover segments of the game the way he covers the NLL for us," said Brian Logue, USL's Director of Communications. "There just aren't that many out there like him. Our magazine, and the lacrosse community, benefits so much from Tom's knowledge of the NLL, his passion for the guys that make up that league, and his ability to share through the written word. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. We pray for his recovery."

"Without question, Tom's been one of the best contributors in the 30-year history of Lacrosse Magazine, and his coverage of the National Lacrosse League is without equal," said Paul Krome, LM's editor. "He's a tremendous asset to the sport, our publication and the league, and I am praying he recovers completely with the support of his family and friends."

"Tom's industrious approach to covering the NLL has made him a driving media force behind the game," added Matt DaSilva, the assistant editor of Lacrosse Magazine. "He truly loves lacrosse even beyond the indoor game, and we've benefited from his expertise for quite some time around here. Our thoughts are with Tom and his family during this time."

Many of us have not met Tom. We just appreciate what he has done for the sport from afar as we immerse ourselves in his in-depth coverage and precise feature stories on the NLL.

In my aforementioned story on Borrelli, I concluded with this paragraph:

"Although his name is featured on the same Web site and magazine as mine, I am not on the same list. He's a Hall of Famer and I'm a wannabe. But know this: I am honored to be associated, however indirectly, with The Best, Tom Borrelli."

Nothing has changed except for his health. I'll pray for Tom Borrelli's quick recovery and, if you have a spare moment, I ask you to keep him in your thoughts.