9/11

So I have at the blessing of Coaching many young people over the last forty years and when I speak about Leadership I always mention 9/11/2011 to our parents and players about this fateful day. Our family was dramatically impacted by this tragedy having lost one of my roommates Tom Crotty, Mary Jo’s cousin. Lt. Kevin Donnelly from the New York Fire Department and 25 business associates that I build relationships with over my career.

I always tell them that my best day was when I married my Bride MJ and the birth of our children Gordon Corsetti and Caitlin Corsetti, and my worst day is 9/11/2011.

Well another day is now 12/2/2022 when we lost our son Gordon.

I do not want to diminish what the families feel that lost love ones on this day 22 years ago while mentioning my son in the same breath that I mention others who feel the same emptiness.

As a leader and coach I have the opportunity to speak in front of many groups. This past weekend I spoke to almost 40 coaches and program leaders from the great state of Tennessee. It was a wonderful day of sharing ideas, successes and challenges to help grow our game of Lacrosse.

I then spoke about my son Gordon so they understand the importance of taking to others about mental health. Gordon's motto of "Taking Care of Your Crew" has so much impact and any chance I get with my last breath I will talk about how you can help someone by just asking "How can I help"

Our Native brothers and sisters call Lacrosse the Medicine game because it has healing powers and that could not be more truthful as it is today.

Today will always be a sad day for me since several people I love and admire like Jimmy O'Neill (we lost Jimmy a few years ago)my old boss and great friend (the picture below is Jimmy's Facebook Photo as well as a few posts that I made over the years). Jimmy and I stood shoulder to shoulder during this day trying to help lead our co-workers and friends throughout this day and many years after. We lost a lot of friends in the business world that we knew for decades.

Jimmy's brother Matt O'Neill has helped me with the our loss of Gordon just like his big brother helped me and many others with his leadership and compassion on this day. (Matt I love you).

I would also like to thank Gordon's Godfather, Roger Coleman who shows throughout the year his leadership with Tuesdays Children. https://www.tuesdayschildren.org

Our country and the rest of the world needs us to show leadership, empathy and love to others.

So when you say your prayers today think of all of the people that we lost on 9/11/2001, think of their families and anyone you have lost since that time.

"Take Care of Your Crew"