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FCA Part of UNC Lacrosse Legacy

Published on June 02, 2016

FCA

This past holiday weekend, the University of North Carolina men’s and women’s lacrosse teams did what no other lacrosse program has done for more than 20 years, when the Tar Heels won both the men’s and women’s NCAA Division I Lacrosse Championships.

On Memorial Day in Philadelphia, the unseeded men’s team pulled off a major upset win over No. 1 University of Maryland, beating the Terrapins 14-13 in overtime. The women had beat No. 1 Maryland 13-7 just a day earlier and stayed in town to cheer on their counterparts. It was worth the delayed trip home, as UNC became the first school since Princeton in 1994 to win both the men’s and women’s Division 1 lacrosse titles in a season.

The victory was especially sweet for FCA, as 31 players in the men’s lacrosse Final Four were former FCA Lacrosse National Team Players. Five played for the University of Maryland, five played for Loyola University Maryland, four played for Brown University, and a staggering 17 played for UNC.

Trophy“All of us at FCA Lacrosse couldn’t be more thrilled for the UNC men’s and women’s lacrosse teams and coaches Joe Breschi and Jenny Levy,” said FCA Lacrosse Director Ryan Horanburg. “It’s especially exciting that 31 former FCA Lacrosse National Team Players were part of the Final Four. We know that each of these players carried the FCA values of Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence with them during their matches—and it certainly showed, especially for the Tar Heels. Congratulations to all the players and teams that saw success both on and off the field. We look forward to all that God has planned for FCA Lacrosse in the future and are grateful for the way He has allowed these players to glorify Him in the sport they love.”

On the UNC team, Breschi leads from the heart, with his faith at the center of his coaching, as well as the goal that his players’ grades stay just as high as the Ws in the win column. As a testament to the leadership within the team, senior captain Patrick Kelly, whose younger brother Timmy and cousin Stephen also play for the Tar Heels, has led a weekly team Bible study for the past two years.

The road to the most recent championship was a long journey for the UNC men, who had not been to the Final Four since 1993, making Monday a special day—for several reasons. At the championships, the 1991 undefeated UNC National Championship Team was honored at half time—the 25th anniversary of Carolina’s last championship team. And it was a family affair for the Kellys as well. Included in that recognition ceremony was Bryan Kelly—the Kelly lacrosse players’ uncle and head lacrosse coach at Calvert Hall College High School—who is actively involved with FCA in Baltimore, along with his family. Bryan’s brother, Frank Kelly, father of Stephen and uncle of Patrick and Timmy, serves on the national board for FCA as well as FCA Lacrosse. Stephen’s brother, Frankie, is also a UNC lacrosse alum.

This summer, FCA is kicking off its 2016 Camps season with more than 600 Camps—including lacrosse—in nearly every state across the country and in more than 35 countries around the world. This year, FCA is celebrating its 60th Camps season with the goal of providing coaches, athletes and teams a time of “inspiration and perspiration.” FCA Lacrosse will also welcome more than 600 players to its Camp in Gettysburg, Pa., July 10-14 for boys and girls ages 8 to 18.

For more information on FCA Lacrosse Camp, visit www.fcalax.com/gettysburg.