The Garden City Rams is hosting the Eight Annual Jay Gallagher Memorial Lacrosse Tournament on June 18 th and 19, th 2005. The Garden City Rams third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade boy’s and girl’s teams will be participating. Out of town teams are invited to compete in a non-competitive jamboree event.

The tournament memorializes Ryan Kohart and Dave Leistman who were lost in the September 11 th tragedy. Ryan was a graduate of Garden City High School and a four-year letterman at North Carolina University. Ryan was the recipient of The Jay Gallagher Award, which recognizes “The Outstanding Freshman In The Carolina Lacrosse Program.” Dave was a graduate of Sewanaka High School and a four-year Letterman at Adelphi University. A long time village resident, Dave was active in the Garden City Rams Lacrosse program coaching both boy’s and girl’s teams. It was with great sadness that the lacrosse world and local community heard of this tragic loss of such fine individuals.

Jay Gallagher graduated from Garden City High School in 1970 where he co-captained the varsity lacrosse team. Jay was a four year defenseman at Cornell and tri-captained the big red his senior year, helping them to the NCAA semi-finals. After graduation, he acted as an assistant coach for North Carolina, Syracuse, Rutgers and Cornell from 1981-1985. His legacy is still present with the John W. “Jay” Gallagher Memorial Scholarship Fund, which goes to a needy Cornell underclassman.

Jay had a memorable association with Garden City, Cornell and the lacrosse world, and it was with much sadness that members of these groups heard of his death on January 9, 1992, at age 39 from melanoma.

Proceeds from the tournament will go to support The Miracle Foundation Building located at The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center on The Mercy Medical Campus. The Miracle Foundation is also active supporting innovative cancer research.

Financial support from parents, friends or corporations is welcome. For further information please contact Anthony Randi (747-4931) or e-mail rjrandi@hotmail.com