By Chris Goldberg

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/8/09

    The Wissahickon boys’ lacrosse team has been scooping up more than a few groundballs lately.

    Several weeks ago, over 40 members of the Trojan varsity and JV teams and several parents spent the entire morning cleaning up at Prophecy Creek Park in Whitpain Township as part of the township’s “Open Space” plan. the grounds of the  

    The project was done in conjunction with preparations for Whitpain’s Earth Day Celebration, and entailed cleaning up the grounds, as well as weeding, mulching, and planting shrubbery around the properties at the Barn and Estate Home. 

    The efforts have earned the Trojans the Phillylacrosse/Athlete's Advantage Scholastic Male Team of the Week honor.

    Wissahickon second-year coach Anthony Gabriele said the project was the ideal service activity because it was done within the school district and was timely to the township.

     “It was nice to give back to the community and get some team time in together,” he said. “We did the entire grounds; we mulched, weeded, planted. It was a lot of work; a good three slid hours. The kids were tired.”

    Gabriele, in his second year as Trojans coach after coaching for several years a decade ago, said each year his team performs community service in hopes of teaching the players the value of leadership.

    “They see the importance of giving back to the community,” he said. “I always tell them they’re not just members of a lacrosse team; they are representing the school and that’s important.

    “Some of them have coached at the youth level. And like any athlete at any level, they see the importance of being a role model.”

To nominate a team for the Team of the Week honor, please e-mail us at golax@phillylacrosse.com