By Bridget Letukas
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/28/10
A good example goes a long way.
Just ask Holy Cross senior defenseman Tim Barrar, a graduate of Malvern Prep.
Every week, Barrar and his Crusader teammates go to Canterbury School to participate in a Big Brother, Big Sister program.
“We each mentor a kid,” said Barrar, an Economics Major with a 3.5 GPA, as he speaks of the third through sixth graders. “We help them with anything. We look over their homework, and then just hang out with them. Some of them have no dads and need a male role model.”
If there is anyone to serve as a positive role model, it’s the two-time All-Academic pick and senior captain, named the United Sports Collegiate Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
After helping lead Malvern Prep to the 2006 state championship an
d earning the Friars’ Sportsmanship Award, Barrar has gone on to become a three-year starter for Holy Cross.
Barrar, along with his fellow seniors, are providing leadership not only for the young students at the Canterbury School, but also to the younger members of a squad hoping to get a bid to the Patriot League playoffs later this spring.
“We have a good mix,” he says. “The younger players are making an immediate impact.”
So far, the Crusaders (2-6 overall) have “struggled a bit“, according to Barrar. He notes, however, that, in spite of a rough non-league start, the Crusaders are 1-1 in Patriot League play. A critical league contest at Lehigh will be played today (2 p.m.).
“It’s a huge game,” Barrar says.
Barrar, who credits his parents as setting a strong example, believes the Crusaders have the nucleus to become a winner.
“We’re a hardworking team,” he said. “We play well together. We’re definitely relentless, and we have a lot of senior leadership.”
