2010 Alumni Lacrosse Game
Alumnus Remembered: Douglas Derocher ’87 (1968-2010)

Varsity 11, Alumni 7

After a decade hiatus, over thirty, former Winged Beaver lacrosse players returned to their hallowed stomping grounds to participate in the 2010 Alumni Lacrosse Game. While most of the alumni players in attendance graduated from Avon between 2003-2009, several players from the 1970s and early 1980s also competed.

Before the opening face-off, Coach Flanagan welcomed back the alumni and paid a heartfelt tribute to the memory and determined spirit of Doug Derocher ’87 who passed of pancreatic cancer in March 2010. Doug’s former wife Dena, son Gabe, daughter Gia, and father Thomas made the trip from Michigan to be part of the event. Doug was an outstanding lacrosse player and citizen at Avon Old Farms who went on to play lacrosse for and graduate from West Point.

The varsity squad took an early 5-0 lead before the alumni finally settled in and began to find their rhythm, pace, and the back of the net. By the middle of the forth quarter, the alumni clawed their way back to a respectable 9-7 deficit before the varsity scored the final two goals.

The game would not have happened without the efforts of National Council members Brian Maitland ’80 and Mike Conroy ’85, along with Coach Flanagan and Steve Dyson ’82. A special thanks is also due to Mike Walker ’93 of Warrior Lacrosse for donating the game jerseys.

Next year, the game will be played before Avon’s varsity takes on Salisbury during Alumni Reunion Weekend. The format will be odd year alumni vs. even year alumni with student lacrosse players filling in as necessary.

To see a photo gallery of the 2010 Alumni Lacrosse game, click here.