April 21, 2011
Lobo Men’s Soccer — Lobos vs. Lobo Alumni
Fundraiser for Pat Grange/ALS research/Lobo soccer
When/Where: 6:30 p.m., Saturday — Lobo Soccer Stadium
By Richard Stevens — Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
There are sports phrases that are tossed around so frequently and casually that you are tempted to dismiss them as coach-speak, player-speak or tired clichés.
But often when the time comes to scratch deeply into the soul of such phrases, what comes to the surface is sincere, meaningful and heartfelt.
For the New Mexico Lobo soccer team — and even for the tightknit cluster that forms the Albuquerque soccer community – the “band of brothers,” “We are family,” “We have each others’ back,” are phrases that will be tested this Saturday in a fundraiser for former Lobo soccer player, Patrick Grange.
If you know anything about Jeremy Fishbein’s family of Lobos, this Lobos vs. Lobo Alumni should be a smashing success.
It is a great cause and it should be a great game.
Pat Grange played for Albuquerque High and for the Lobos in 2003 and 2004. About four months ago, when once-strong muscles began to weaken, Grange found out he had ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a nerve-killing disease that has no cure. The disease also is known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in respect to the former New York Yankee great, who lost his life to this cruel disease.
Saturday’s fundraising event will include a silent auction to benefit the Grange family, ALS research and Lobo soccer.
“Too often it is unfortunate situations that bring groups together and make you realize the power that comes from being part of a family or part of a team,” said Fishbein.
“This is a powerful time for our Lobo men’s soccer family and we are looking forward to spending this time with Pat. As a player, Pat had a reserved personality, but he was passionate about his commitment to soccer and just came alive on the field.
“The outpour of support is incredible. Maybe the real challenge from all this is for us to harness this positive energy and support on a daily basis and be there for each other regardless of the circumstances.”
The circumstances creating this fundraiser obviously are solemn ones, but the day created also is one of celebration and joy — for Lobo family, by Lobo brothers.
“Pat is a great friend to everyone,” said Brandon Moss, a former Lobo teammate and Lobo assistant coach. “He was one of those teammates who was always there for you. UNM benefited from having him on the team.
“The Albuquerque soccer community is a tight knit family and it’s not surprising to see so many people want to get involved and help. It’s a neat thing to see, but I think this community would do it for anyone.”
Grange, 28, seemed destined to be a star in some sport from the moment he picked up a ball. He chose soccer. He was a club-ball standout and went on to star for the Albuquerque High Bulldogs. From AHS, he went to the University of Illinois before returning to finish his college career at UNM.
He helped pace UNM to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2004 by scoring two game-winning goals in earlier rounds.
Saturday’s event will include at least nine players from UNM’s 2005 team that played in that year’s NCAA National Championship game: Mike Graczyk, Jeff Rowland, Lance Watson, Brandon Moss, Mike Porter, Jack Smithson, Erik Bagwell, Ryan McVay and Cody Hanna.
The event will include 15 former Lobos off Grange’s senior-year team that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 and all six seniors from the 2010 UNM squad will be on the Lobo Alumni roster. “On that (2005) soccer team, there wasn’t one person who didn’t love Pat,” Rowland told The Albuquerque Journal.
Admission to the game is free, but donations will be accepted at the gate. The silent auction will include jerseys signed by Christiano Ronaldo, Kaka, FC Dallas, Seattle Souders, golf packages, spa treatments, a big-screen TV and airline tickets.
There also should be an exciting brand of soccer thrown out on the Lobo field on Saturday. The Lobo veterans might have the edge in experience — and depth. Because of the nature of this alumni reunion, there could be as many as 50 former Lobos wearing cleats and looking for some turf time.
But can these “old” Lobos hang with Fishbein’s young pups when it comes to getting up and down the field? Will Fish relax the college substitution rules to allow these old boys to sub a bit more freely and catch their breath?
“We are playing a pretty good team. It’s loaded,” said Fishbein. “But we should have an advantage in team cohesion and we probably are more match fit.”
No doubt, the game will be competitive, but there is a special quality about this game that transcends scoreboards.
A band of brothers is gathering to honor one of their own.