One More Catch!
/One More Catch
If I could have one more moment with my son, just one more glimpse into the boundless heart and sharp mind of Gordon James Corsetti, it would be for one more catch. Not a ceremony, not a conversation even, just a simple, sacred toss of a lacrosse ball between father and son.
Because that’s where it all began. That’s where we connected first: in the front yard, in the backyard, at fields where the grass stuck to our cleats and the sun cast long shadows at dusk. Gordon with his stick always taped just right, shirt tucked, glasses sliding down his nose. Me, the coach and the father, watching the boy who played not for the trophies, but for the love of the game, and later, for the love of the rules that shaped it.
He was only 34 when he passed away on December 2, 2022, after a courageous, two-decade battle with depression. Gordon didn’t hide from what he was going through. He never did. He met mental illness head-on, not just for himself, but for others. He used his voice,his writing, his talks, his business, Mental Agility, to give structure to the chaos that so many feel but can’t explain. He shared his pain so others might feel less alone in theirs.
But before he became a mentor, a mental health advocate, and a nationally respected official, Gordon was just my son. The boy who broke out of his crib to see his baby sister. The young man who read constantly, who couldn’t lie if his life depended on it. Who wore his heart and his shirt tucked in, always.
He excelled at lacrosse, of course. A gifted defenseman at Pace Academy and Presbyterian College. But where many find glory in scoring, Gordon found peace in structure, in fairness, in the art of officiating. He didn’t just become a good referee. He became the best. He wrote Advanced Rules: Improving Your Lacrosse Officiating, and he brought integrity and empathy to every game he called. His impact on the officiating community was, and remains, immeasurable.
Still, Gordon was never confined by one role or one title. He mastered martial arts, jumped from airplanes, worked in e-learning, and even became a electrical lineman, where the man who once underwent electro-convulsive therapy now helped restore power with a smile. He spoke to crews about vulnerability and mental strength with honesty that earned him more than respect. It earned him connection.
Even now, Gordon continues to give. As an organ donor, his physical life extends into the lives of more than 80 people. His words continue to be read. His lessons continue to be taught. His memory continues to inspire.
But I would give anything for just one more catch. To toss that ball one more time, to hear him laugh as it hit the ground, to talk about nothing and everything. No expectations. Just a moment. Just the rhythm of pass and receive, the simplicity of being together.
I know Gordon would tell me not to dwell on the "why" but to focus on the "what now." To build, to help, to be better for others. So we will. Through the Gordon Corsetti Mental Agility Fund, we will carry forward his mission: to educate, to support, to offer hope to those who feel trapped in darkness.
But still, I hold on to that hope, that memory, that dream, of one more catch.
Because in that quiet, familiar moment, there is love. There is healing. There is Gordon.
And he is still with us.
For those of you that need help please see the resources below:
Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for help. In an emergency, please call 911.
If you or someone you know is seeking help for mental health concerns, visit the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) website, or call 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).
For confidential treatment referrals, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website, or call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP(4357).
Please consider donating to the Gordon J. Corsetti Mental Agility Foundation to help us keep Gordon’s legacy alive.
