By Amber Friend | Sports Editor
On Wednesday, September 11th, 2024, members from The University of Southern Maine’s men’s lacrosse team paid a heartfelt tribute to the victims of 9/11. The guys traded in their usual Wednesday run for something more personal. Broken into two groups, each player went up and down a flight of stairs 26 times. The combined equivalent to the 110 flights of stairs those in the North and South tower tragically experienced 23 years ago. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jake Spalinger, a sophomore defenseman on the team. Jake explained how a friend’s firefighting father was an important role model for him growing up. He mentions the respect he has for firefighters, and how he understands how hard the job can be. Some, including himself, wore weighted vests, representing the equipment first responders wore that day. Jake wants it to be known that people didn’t forget about the heroes of 9/11. “The whole motto is never forget”. This inspiring act of dedication was not just for that single day in 2001 but was also a tribute to all of the events and tragedies that would come as a result. He states “I like to think of everyone who gave their lives, 9/11 and after.” He and his teammates staggered up and down the pavement steps, happy to be there and be a part of something so special. As teammate Duncan Hayes told the team, “It’s bigger than us”. Jake thought a lot about that day and “about how much heart those guys had- they chose to still go in and save lives, knowing they might not come out alive”. He explained how proud he was of the team and that doing a small thing can show a lot of respect. As for Jake, he stayed after the groups were finished. Making sure he completed the full 110 flights. The team’s act of honor is very special and inspires others to truly never forget.