By: RJ Kaminski
Washington College Alumnus, Andrew Manos, has been playing in Shootout for Soldiers since its first year at Boys’ Latin School. Heading into his fifth year playing in the event, he has one creative idea for this summer.
“Because it was so cool [last year] with the fathers and sons, a lot of the guys were like ‘Hey, lets bring our daughters out too.’”
Andrew Manos snapped a selfie in the rain while playing with his son in 2015
Manos played with his son last year as did other WAC alumni in one of the first father-son games in the event’s history. This year he plans on making it a family affair.
“We’re going to have 40 men [Washington College] alumni,” he said. “We’ll probably have 5-10 current Washington College Men’s players. We’re hoping to have a handful of women’s alumni and maybe a couple of current women’s players and probably a dozen kids.”
Why so many people? Manos said this go-around, things have changed since previous years.
“A lot of people are asking me this year,” he said. Rather than Manos sending out email blasts recruiting friends to play, he’s been receiving them.
“A lot of the guys were like ‘Hey, lets bring our daughters out too.’”
He touched upon the value that Shootout for Soldiers provides he and his Washington College family, aside from the incredible cause it supports.
“When you get out of college everybody gets married,” Manos said. “Once everybody starts having kids, it’s incredibly hard to get together. So, to have a date a year in advance that you know about, people can get passes from their wife,” he laughed.
It’s the best of both worlds for Manos, his lacrosse alumni and his own personal family.
“It supports a great cause,” he said. “It’s a really good forum to be able to plan to come to an event like [Shootout for Soldiers], catch up with a lot of your buddies, and support a good cause while doing it.”
He has also recognized the number one goal of the Shootout for Soldiers, helping Veterans make a healthy transition upon their return.
“Money is one thing, but the real key is to welcome [Veterans] back and help them integrate back into [society].”
Manos is working out the specifics of how those playing will divide up into teams. Regardless of what they choose, the Washington College lacrosse community is amped to get out to St. Paul’s School June 22nd-23rd.
“We feel like we’re giving back to the guys who protect us,” Manos said.
