Chris’ Game: Reflection, Hope and Remembrance on the QU Softball Field
4/13/2018 1:08:00 PM | Softball
Wins and losses are generally regarded as the most important outcome of any sporting event. For Quinnipiac softball and assistant coaches Rocco and Lynn Labbadia, there's something bigger.
The team's game against the Yale Bulldogs was on a Wednesday afternoon, just like any other regular season out-of-conference matchup.
Normally, though, it's the clouds that watch over the Quinnipiac softball field. But on April 11, 2018, it was Rocco and Lynn's son, Chris.
"He was kind, he was passionate, he was motivated to do what he wanted to do," Rocco Labbadia said, reflecting about his son. "He left an impression on a lot of people — the young, the old, the athlete and the nonathlete."
Just a few years ago Chris' life was taken as a result of a cold, sleety night on the roads. He was returning a friend's wallet before a one-car crash ensued.
"It's been devastating ever since," Rocco remarked. "So we're trying to do whatever we can to not only remember Chris, but to make something positive out of something so terrible."
The result? The Chris Cares Challenge. To Rocco, it represents a game where everyone — friends, family and the opponent — comes together for the common good.
Rocco and Lynn's daughter, Brittney, played at Yale for four years, the same time period in which Chris passed away. Quinnipiac's "rival" has been a compassionate friend of the softball team, as they come together every year to play in honor of Chris's memory.
"Yale's been family," Rocco said with a smile. "They've been great to our families, and it's an opportunity for 40 young adults to realize that softball means a lot, but you can touch one person and make a difference."
While the results on the field certainly matter, it's the act of everyone coming together that Rocco cherishes the most. He does it all for his son, who on a daily basis made people smile.
Rocco challenges his family, friends and players to do one thing not just on Chris' game but every day: to be kind.
"Spread a little love out there," Rocco said. "It's always nice to do something for someone and make them smile."
The team's game against the Yale Bulldogs was on a Wednesday afternoon, just like any other regular season out-of-conference matchup.
Normally, though, it's the clouds that watch over the Quinnipiac softball field. But on April 11, 2018, it was Rocco and Lynn's son, Chris.
"He was kind, he was passionate, he was motivated to do what he wanted to do," Rocco Labbadia said, reflecting about his son. "He left an impression on a lot of people — the young, the old, the athlete and the nonathlete."
Just a few years ago Chris' life was taken as a result of a cold, sleety night on the roads. He was returning a friend's wallet before a one-car crash ensued.
"It's been devastating ever since," Rocco remarked. "So we're trying to do whatever we can to not only remember Chris, but to make something positive out of something so terrible."
The result? The Chris Cares Challenge. To Rocco, it represents a game where everyone — friends, family and the opponent — comes together for the common good.
Rocco and Lynn's daughter, Brittney, played at Yale for four years, the same time period in which Chris passed away. Quinnipiac's "rival" has been a compassionate friend of the softball team, as they come together every year to play in honor of Chris's memory.
"Yale's been family," Rocco said with a smile. "They've been great to our families, and it's an opportunity for 40 young adults to realize that softball means a lot, but you can touch one person and make a difference."
While the results on the field certainly matter, it's the act of everyone coming together that Rocco cherishes the most. He does it all for his son, who on a daily basis made people smile.
Rocco challenges his family, friends and players to do one thing not just on Chris' game but every day: to be kind.
"Spread a little love out there," Rocco said. "It's always nice to do something for someone and make them smile."
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