The end of May was an exciting time for me and for Nassau County lacrosse.

The Section VIII Nassau County high school boys’ lacrosse championships were held at Hofstra University, and after each of the three matches I presented my Leadership Award for the third consecutive year to six young men who have been identified as leaders on and off the field.

Each award recipient reflects the tenacity, honesty, commitment and positive attitude required in Nassau lacrosse. Each player also possesses the ability to inspire teammates and others in the classroom and their communities.

I was proud to present the 2016 James C. Metzger Leadership Award to the following student-athletes:

• Cold Spring Harbor High School senior goalie Devin Burdo, who also played football for his school;
• Garden City High School senior goalie Sam Lucchesi, who held the opposing team scoreless in the fourth quarter to allow his Trojans to rally from a four goal deficit to win;
• Locust Valley High School senior defender Reed Tansill, whose on-field strengths include speed, hustle, aggressive ground ball play and good open field vision;
• Manhasset High School senior midfielder Jack Miller, who has verbally committed to the University of Richmond and will major in business.
• Massaspequa High School senior attacker/midfielder Ryan Tierney, who scored 53 goals in 18 games this season and will play for his father, Seth Tierney, at Hofstra University.
• Syosset High School senior defender James Goldrick, who also played basketball for his school.

These young men are on their way to bigger and better successes in lacrosse, in school and in life. I am glad I had the opportunity to help them on their way.