Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/28/14
The annual “Fallen Heroes Game” between defending PIAA champion La Salle and DeMatha Catholic (MD) will be held tonight at 7 pm at the University of Pennsylvania’s Ace Adams Field at Penn Park.
The game honors the memory of two true American heroes: First LT. Travis Manion (La Salle), who died in Iraq in 2007; and his best friend and roommate from the US Naval Academy, Navy SEAL, Lt. Brendan Looney (DeMatha), who died in Afghanistan in 2010.
When Travis died he was originally buried in a family plot near his hometown. However, after Brendan passed away, the decision was made to bury both men side by side at Arlington National Cemetery. The decision to do this made national news and was covered by all of the major networks.
The first “Fallen Heroes Game” game was played in 2011 at the Naval Academy. Game two was held last year at La Salle and last year the game was held at Catholic University in Washington D.C. Travis played lacrosse in high school and wrestled at Navy. Brendan played football and baseball at DeMatha. At Navy, he played football and lacrosse, and was a key member of the Navy team that went to the National Championship Game in 2004.
La Salle is 0-1 with its only game a loss to Calvert Hall, a nationally-ranked MIAA power. DeMatha is off to a 7-0 start.
Penn Park is located behind Franklin Field with a beautiful view of the city skyline. There is no admission.
“The schools do a great job of honoring both fallen heroes and this game is good fellowship,” said La Salle coach Bill Leahy. “It’s a positive thing. What are the odds that two young men, best friends, would die serving their country and can be honored by us playing a lacrosse game?”
Below is a video about both young men.
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Here is a highlight video from La Salle on last year’s 9-6 Explorers victory
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