Bruce Lerch: The Ultimate Colleague and Friend
by Ryan Kilian – Founder and Director / Mass Prep Stars
The first day of the Spring sports season has come and gone without my annual phone call highlighting the opening week of lacrosse scrimmages. I also missed the lengthy follow-up discussion regarding the pre-season make-up of all the top Massachusetts high school lacrosse teams. It was almost fitting that it snowed on Sunday night and Monday morning, as the lacrosse community had to adjust to the curveball thrown their way, just like we have all had to adjust to the beginning the lacrosse season without our dear friend and colleague, Bruce Lerch.
Bruce was a larger-than-life member of the Massachusetts High School sports community, as a journalist with the Boston Herald and as the Editor-In-Chef of Bostonlax.net. He will forever be remembered as a one-of-a-kind local journalist, who put the student-athletes, coaches and schools first and the results of the contests second. More than a just a talented reporter, Bruce will always be remembered as a kind and generous friend, who was genuine, honest and a lot of fun.
It has been a fitting tribute that so many people have written articles and posts to express their feelings about Bruce. While this post is certainly long overdue, it also seems fitting, as this was the time of year that Bruce and I would spend countless hours a week on the phone, in local Massachusetts food establishments and on the sidelines of lacrosse fields discussing the game that we both loved. The articles and posts about Bruce have all been heartfelt and moving, as they have displayed the true impact that Bruce had on our lives and in our community.
Some of my favorites…
Our friends at ESPN Boston also wrote this fantastic tribute to Bruce after his passing in December.
Having known Bruce for almost 10 years I came to discover how much I valued our friendship. Whether Bruce was commenting on my toddler sons and their backyard lacrosse skills or whether we spent time discussing deeper topics, such as the value of happiness in your profession, I always appreciated the personal relationship and sincerity that Bruce and I shared. Bruce and I spent many nights hashing out all-star teams, rankings lists, undiscovered talent and under-the-radar student-athletes. We shared a common love of high school sports and the beauty and passion of being dedicated Massachusetts high school sports junkies. Bruce taught me how to appreciate the little things and he deeply valued his importance in the lives of this community.
Bruce was what high school sports should always be about. He genuinely cared about the kids, the coaches and the schools that he covered. He built sustainable and sincere relationships with the local interscholastic sports community and he appreciated his role in telling their stories.
Whether he was writing touching pieces, like the one he wrote about the late Wellesley great Connor Darcey or if
He was putting together amazing video compilations of athletes and games, it was always done "first class".
Things will certainly be different and challenging this 2016 lacrosse season, but Bruce would want us to keep supporting the game, the schools and the student-athletes whom he loved so much. Bruce will be missed dearly, but he will never be forgotten.
Help Support the Bruce Lerch Scholarship Fund
- Please join us in donating to the Bruce Lerch Scholarship Fund. Bruce Lerch Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Please join us at the Boston Herald's first annual Bruce Lerch lacrosse tournament - May 21st at Westwood High School - The Boston Herald’s Bruce Lerch Memorial Tournament
- Please join us this week in supporting the Bruce Lerch Memorial Scholarship Fund by purchasing a t-shirt in his name - Bruce Lerch limited edition t-shirt
- Please join the Boston Cannon's in their effort to support future lax journalists in Bruce's name - The Bruce Lerch Junior Reporter Scholarship
Please follow Mass Prep Stars for coverage and athlete updates on Twitter @masspreps. Please also stay connected with us on our Facebook page. You can check out our NEW Instagram page, where we will bring you live shots and clips from Mass Prep Stars in action. Lastly, make sure you create and update your Mass Prep Stars athlete profile, by going to http://massprepstars.com/players/profile-options and use it as your Scholastic Athletic Resume. You can create and update your bio information, statistics, photos, videos and news links! Please Email us with any questions!
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