Stepping up with Sigma Chi

I had the incredible honor of speaking to over 200 fraternity brothers at the University of Georgia on October 6th, and I continue to be amazed by the way young people are stepping up to support each other in regard to mental health.

Gordon had the privilege of speaking with this same group twice, thanks to Cooper Heath and his fraternity, Sigma Chi. They tragically lost one of their brothers, Sam L. Asbury, who died by suicide in 2020. Cooper, who Gordon coached on our first Atlanta Coyotes team, immediately bonded with Gordon as fellow defensemen. Cooper is truly one of the nicest young men you’ll ever meet—someone who always strives to do the right thing. While he still calls me "Coach" instead of "Lou," I’m proud to call him a friend.

When I spoke to the group, I shared two key messages:

1. Gordon’s Story and the profound impact he had on so many lives.

2. The importance of embracing Gordon’s motto: “Take Care of Your Crew.” Gordon believed passionately that we must always take care of each other—whether that’s family, co-workers, officials, coaches, teammates, or fraternity brothers. It’s about creating a community that looks out for one another, no matter the situation.

Being in front of this group of young men gave me hope that they will continue supporting each other through their mental health journeys. I was particularly inspired to see Cooper and his fraternity raise over $200,000 through their annual event, “The Fight Against Suicide.” This incredible event sees fraternity brothers train and step into the boxing ring to "Knockout Suicide," raising awareness and combating the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.

To close my speech, I shared a few quotes with the group—words that I hope they’ll carry with them as they make decisions each day:

• “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” —Charles Schulz (Peanuts Creator)

• “Be smart about being stupid.” —Coach Lou

• “No one ever drowned in sweat.” —Lou Holtz (Famous Football Coach)

• “Do your best, let God do the rest.” —Unknown

• “It’s OK not to be OK.” —Gordon James Corsetti

I left UGA feeling hopeful and proud, knowing that this next generation is committed to breaking the silence around mental health and supporting each other, just as Gordon always encouraged.

Thank you Cooper and Sigma Chi for allowing me to be part of your Crew

That's what Friends are for!

Every year, my brothers from the Marist College aka Shady Acres Class of '82 and I get together for beach time, golf, and some shenanigans. All we do is laugh and make fun of each other, and by the end of the three days, our ribs and jaws hurt from all the love and laughter we share. The stories continue to be embellished, and we always seem to score more points, tackles, or touchdowns as the years pass.

Tom Cooney, our event coordinator; Vince Ambroselli, our DJ; Rick Baretta, our cooler man; Roger Coleman and Jerry McElduff, our wine distributors; John Levy, who only brings his surfboard and dessert; and Tony Luisi and myself, who double as the chefs, make up our group.

These men are all terrific individuals who have made their mark in their communities, whether it is through their church groups, coaching youth programs, fundraising for various events, or just being great husbands and fathers.

All of us would do anything for each other, and they have. Each and every one of these men has helped Mary Jo, Caitlin, and me through the toughest challenge we have ever faced. From a friendly text or call, a heartfelt email, to their generous donations to Gordon’s Mental Agility Foundation, their support has been unwavering.

I am not sure how I would survive without their love and support.

I still have many friends that I talk to and see from high school, work, and my coaching tree. Because I have coached so many kids over the years, my friend network gets bigger and bigger, and for that, I am blessed. It’s a strange dynamic when you go from Coach to Lou when the kids I coached, coached with, or coached against become lifelong friends. Their parents have become friends, and I am very close to many of them in my over 40 years of coaching.

It is so nice to be invited to a wedding or see baby pictures or pictures of their new house.

Several years ago, my good friend and coaching buddy, Paul Wendlant, passed away. His son Christian (who played for me, was the all-time leading scorer at our school, and is now coaching in Colorado) called me a month before he discovered he had cancer. Christian asked if I knew any doctors who could help him get out of the hospital. Mind you, this was during the pandemic, and they did not know what Paul had. We were able to get him transferred to another hospital, and that’s when they discovered his illness.

The ironic part of this tragedy is a week before Christian called, I was driving in my truck and I thought, "I have to call Paul as I had not spoken with him in a while." Well, time passed as I was driving, and something else came up, and I forgot to call. Boy, do I regret that decision.

At Paul’s memorial service, Christian asked me to say a few words and repeated this story. If someone comes into your mind, “Make the call.” I have lived by this since Paul left us, and anytime I think of someone I love and care for, I call them. Everyone reading this blog should do the same: “Make the call.”

It is so important to make the human connection with everyone we come in contact with. Social media helps, texts, phone calls, and in-person interactions are extremely helpful to each and every one of us, especially with the ones we are close to.

Gordon, though challenged with anxiety, panic attacks, and severe depression, tried his best every day to make a difference in people's lives, and that’s why we all continue to keep his memory and legacy alive through his website and foundation.

Love to all of you, and “Take care of your crew” and also “Make the call.”

Please consider a donation to The Gordon Corsetti Mental Agility Foundation.

Gordon James Corsetti Foundation

All about the Hug!→

For those of you who know my son Gordon, he is a tremendous hugger. Now, Gordon did not go around hugging everyone he saw, if that's what you think. Gordon was a very reserved person in my view, but when he hugged you, he meant it. The hug is what prompted me to write this post this morning.

On March 15th and 16th, 2004, we had a Lacrosse Tournament for Gordon’s Mental Agility Foundation where people from all over the country came in to honor Gordon’s legacy and help raise money for mental health. There are so many people to thank, which I will get to in a moment.

First, I would like to thank the players, coaches, parents, fans, and officials from all the teams that participated: Christian Brothers (Memphis), McCallie (Chattanooga), Mountain Brook (Birmingham), Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte), and all of our local teams, Pace (Gordon’s alma mater), Pope, Lovett, Blessed Trinity, Oconee, Cambridge, and the Girls and Boys Teams from Fellowship Christian School. The competition was fierce, and everyone really enjoyed the message of "Take Care Of Your Crew."

Hugs were given in the stands, on the sidelines, and at midfield with our honorary coin flippers at the start of each game and at the banquet we had at our clubhouse when the last game was finished—for people that we as a family have not seen since we lost Gordon.

Mary Jo wore Gordon’s officials jersey, and we hung his college officials jersey on the sidelines at the scorers table. Two of our high school buddies, Vinny Pariso and Bob “Woody” Kerzner, made the trek from Long Island (West Babylon Eagles). We were graced with my great friend Frank Cecere, “Team Eight,” where we all played high school football. Dennis Gaddy, a great basketball player from high school attended and now lives in Atlanta. Mary Jo and Dennis were good friends growing up, and it was so nice to see him.

Kevin Forrester, Charlie Obermayer—Gordon’s mentors in the officiating world—came in from Baltimore along with my manager Steve Kirr, who is also a very close and dear friend. Kevin, Charlie, and Steve have been rock-solid during our time of need, and the prayers, support, and LOVE they have shown us are immeasurable.

Don Stoppenbach, my friend for over 25 years, ran the show from the press box (along with Scott Ferraro). Don also wrangled people from the US Lacrosse Youth Council, which I was part of for ten years. Trust me when I tell you that I could write a book about the Youth Council that would fill volumes of pages with our shenanigans (mostly all started by Don, I might add). The Youth Council, before US Lacrosse had over 90 employees, was the backbone of our sport helping grow the game across the country. These people are giants and terrific ambassadors of the game. Patty Brooks (Dallas), Mellisa D’Angelo (Long Island), Abby Burbank (Vermont), Tucker White (Florida via Baltimore), Noel Ebner (Upstate New York), Joanna Thomashefski (Michigan), and Maria Badalamenti (Atlanta - honorary Youth Council member).

Seeing the smiles on their faces over the weekend was tremendous and it brought back some wonderful memories.

The event was supported by all of my players and their parents (ticket sales, concessions, parking, cleanup). Special thanks to our Head of School Dr. Kathryn Teston, Athletic Director David Lowery, Assistant AD Andy Trevers, Maureen Boomhouwer, Cheryl Wade, Tori Mauldin, Rebecca Hurd, and all of our vendors the Bearor Family, Haynes Family, Elphick Family for setting up shop in our vendor village and running the silent auction. We don’t have the final tally yet, but between ticket sales, officials' fees, auction items, and donations I believe we raised close to twenty thousand dollars.

So, back to the hug!

Mary Jo and I have seen literally thousands of kids and their families, having run Atlanta Youth Lacrosse for twenty-seven years. Caitlin and Gordon were around the sport and it’s where they learned a great deal about work ethic and how to do things on their own. Mary Jo, who is a carpenter (her name is derived from Mary and Joseph), had our players (STARS - Students That Accept Responsibility) build many projects over the years at Murphy Chandler Park and Windsor Parkway. Seeing these young people who played, officiated, coached with us over that time was so awesome and HUGS were given out all day long.

As I mentioned earlier, when you got HUGGED by Gordon, he meant it, and all the HUGS that we received meant so much to us and frankly, it’s what keeps us going each and every day.

You all mean the world to us, and I can’t wait to see you and HUG you!

Coach Lou

Please consider donating to Gordon’s Mental Agility Foundation so we can continue to help people with their mental health. https://everloved.com/life-of/gordon-corsetti