Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Hello everyone:
As many of you know Plattsburgh men's soccer and many of our alumni have been working hard to help Matt Fyfe (past Cardinal player) whose family has been going through some very difficult times. Matt's wife Liz has been battling brain cancer. This has been an incredibly difficult time for them and their 2 children both emotionally and financially. We have had several fundraising events to benefit their family and additionally our alumni soccer players have really stepped up to the plate big time. We sent Matt and his family a check for $2,400 right before Christmas and since then the money is still coming in.
I was so incredibly touched to read the many notes and letters of past players who did not even know Matt but were willing to contribute. Since then we have recieved over another $1,100 dollars for the family. It is amazing how often players wrote "once a Cardinal always a Cardinal". It really made me proud to be a part of this program and to have been associated with so many special people.
I have enclose a letter Matt wrote that I would like to share with you all.
Dear Coach Waterbury, staff, current players and fellow alumni:
I would first like to thank you for your time and generosity. One hundred dollars would help us right now but $2400 will give us the ability to pay a number of bills and give our kids a better Christmas. I can’t thank you all enough. It means a lot to me and my family that you took the time and put in the effort to help us in our time of need. So again, thank you for all you did and thank you to Coach for taking the lead on this matter.
Secondly, I just want to say a few words to the current players on the team. You probably have never heard my name before, nor have we ever met. I am not the all time leading goal scorer, the assist leader or the leader in minutes played. I was a role player. My job was to go and create scoring chances for the rest of the team by beating on the other teams’ defenses. I think that I led the team in yellow cards my junior year and body checks (which I am very proud of). I doubt coach keeps those stats, but none of that matters right now. What matters is that we are part of the same program. We have a bond; even though we have never played together we are all on the same team. Teams and teammates stick together in tough times.
Thirteen years ago when I was where you are right now I couldn’t have imagined what my life would be like. I always thought that one day I would get married and have kids. Never did I think that 6 months after my second child was born my wife would be diagnosed with brain cancer. She would then have brain surgery, go through radiation and chemotherapy and lose her job because she couldn’t return in time due to her illness. In addition, Liz would spend a week in the hospital because her platelet counts were so low, the doctors were afraid she could have a brain hemorrhage and die. We may have to sell our house because we can’t afford to live here on one salary. Yes, thirteen years ago I was just worried about where the next party was going to be and if there were going to be girls there.
I tell you all this because one day your life may be turned upside down, as mine was. I would never wish this on anyone. But the reality is that it happened to me. So it is possible that it can happen to anyone. Just know that your teammates will always have your back. No matter how long it has been since you’ve played and no matter if you have never met some of the members on the team, they will always be there for you when you need them. It is reassuring to know this. It feels good that you are not forgotten and that people still care after so many years. So thank you again for taking the time to help a former Cardinal. Good luck and never feel that you are alone. Your teammates will always be there for you.
Lastly, to the alumni, thank you for your generosity. I have to tell you that I miss playing with you. I miss the bus trips, playing cards, the stretching circle, all the stories and Draper. Oh God, do I miss Draper! What I don’t miss is chasing Coach through Plattsburgh on his mountain bike, the three-a- day practices during preseason, the six-pack sprints around the field and midterm madness. I really never liked running. I still don’t! I loved being part of a team. I have not seen or spoken with many of you in a very long time but I really appreciate the fact that you thought enough to send a donation. Thanks. This will help immensely right now. I hope in time that we can get together and reminisce about the old days. I really think that that would be a good time.
I hope this letter finds you all in good health. Wherever life takes you, just remember that you will not be forgotten. It speaks volumes about the character of a program and the people that have been part of this program through the years when one individual needs help and others are willing to be there for them. To borrow a line from a couple of the alumni that sent in donations, “Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal.” From one Cardinal to all my former teammates and all of you that I have never met- Thank you! Thank you from my wife, my kids and myself.
Sincerely,
Matt, Liz, Zoe and Angus Fyfe
As many of you know Plattsburgh men's soccer and many of our alumni have been working hard to help Matt Fyfe (past Cardinal player) whose family has been going through some very difficult times. Matt's wife Liz has been battling brain cancer. This has been an incredibly difficult time for them and their 2 children both emotionally and financially. We have had several fundraising events to benefit their family and additionally our alumni soccer players have really stepped up to the plate big time. We sent Matt and his family a check for $2,400 right before Christmas and since then the money is still coming in.
I was so incredibly touched to read the many notes and letters of past players who did not even know Matt but were willing to contribute. Since then we have recieved over another $1,100 dollars for the family. It is amazing how often players wrote "once a Cardinal always a Cardinal". It really made me proud to be a part of this program and to have been associated with so many special people.
I have enclose a letter Matt wrote that I would like to share with you all.
Dear Coach Waterbury, staff, current players and fellow alumni:
I would first like to thank you for your time and generosity. One hundred dollars would help us right now but $2400 will give us the ability to pay a number of bills and give our kids a better Christmas. I can’t thank you all enough. It means a lot to me and my family that you took the time and put in the effort to help us in our time of need. So again, thank you for all you did and thank you to Coach for taking the lead on this matter.
Secondly, I just want to say a few words to the current players on the team. You probably have never heard my name before, nor have we ever met. I am not the all time leading goal scorer, the assist leader or the leader in minutes played. I was a role player. My job was to go and create scoring chances for the rest of the team by beating on the other teams’ defenses. I think that I led the team in yellow cards my junior year and body checks (which I am very proud of). I doubt coach keeps those stats, but none of that matters right now. What matters is that we are part of the same program. We have a bond; even though we have never played together we are all on the same team. Teams and teammates stick together in tough times.
Thirteen years ago when I was where you are right now I couldn’t have imagined what my life would be like. I always thought that one day I would get married and have kids. Never did I think that 6 months after my second child was born my wife would be diagnosed with brain cancer. She would then have brain surgery, go through radiation and chemotherapy and lose her job because she couldn’t return in time due to her illness. In addition, Liz would spend a week in the hospital because her platelet counts were so low, the doctors were afraid she could have a brain hemorrhage and die. We may have to sell our house because we can’t afford to live here on one salary. Yes, thirteen years ago I was just worried about where the next party was going to be and if there were going to be girls there.
I tell you all this because one day your life may be turned upside down, as mine was. I would never wish this on anyone. But the reality is that it happened to me. So it is possible that it can happen to anyone. Just know that your teammates will always have your back. No matter how long it has been since you’ve played and no matter if you have never met some of the members on the team, they will always be there for you when you need them. It is reassuring to know this. It feels good that you are not forgotten and that people still care after so many years. So thank you again for taking the time to help a former Cardinal. Good luck and never feel that you are alone. Your teammates will always be there for you.
Lastly, to the alumni, thank you for your generosity. I have to tell you that I miss playing with you. I miss the bus trips, playing cards, the stretching circle, all the stories and Draper. Oh God, do I miss Draper! What I don’t miss is chasing Coach through Plattsburgh on his mountain bike, the three-a- day practices during preseason, the six-pack sprints around the field and midterm madness. I really never liked running. I still don’t! I loved being part of a team. I have not seen or spoken with many of you in a very long time but I really appreciate the fact that you thought enough to send a donation. Thanks. This will help immensely right now. I hope in time that we can get together and reminisce about the old days. I really think that that would be a good time.
I hope this letter finds you all in good health. Wherever life takes you, just remember that you will not be forgotten. It speaks volumes about the character of a program and the people that have been part of this program through the years when one individual needs help and others are willing to be there for them. To borrow a line from a couple of the alumni that sent in donations, “Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal.” From one Cardinal to all my former teammates and all of you that I have never met- Thank you! Thank you from my wife, my kids and myself.
Sincerely,
Matt, Liz, Zoe and Angus Fyfe
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