During the darkest blitzkrieg days of World War II in England, when London was on the verge of collapse, Winston Churchill made one of the most inspirational radio addresses to the nation...a talk widely credited with turning around the war effort and saving the nation. His concluding remarks were: "We will fight the enemy in the trenches, on the beaches, in the air, on the seas, everywhere...and we will never quit. For on the athletic fields of Eton the character and resilience of our nation has been determined."

Fast forward to May 16, 1988, on the playing fields of Wilton, CT. Wilton 10-0-0, unbeaten untied and unscored upon versus Manhasset PBC, 10-0-0. Third quarter 3-0 Wilton. Manhasset time out for a pep talk. "Play as a team. Intimidate by hitting. Refuse to quit. Remember the movie Backdraft about the fire? What happened when the door opened and the air reached the fire? All hell broke loose. Now go out there and break down the door." Boom! Buttles behind-the-back shot the goalie never saw...3-1. Dan Denihan rocket shot off the goalie's helmet ("Hello, goalie") 3-2. Conor Denihan rocket shot off the goalie's right arm ("ouch") 3-3. Tim Goettelmann diving shot in between the goalie's legs, 4-3; Papa stripped Wilton's hot shot attack man, cleared to Dougie Thompson, coast-to-coast, shot over goalie's left shoulder. Final score 5-3. The Manhasset lacrosse train was beginning to roll.

Fast forward again to June 10, 1995, Coyne Field, Syracuse University: State finals: Manhasset 21-1 vs. Corning East 18-1. This time the wrestling coach, Gary Forte, delivered the pep talk. The Fire with the Great Warrior Arguna's: In Love there is great courage; in Love there is no fear; the Inner Fire has the true Energy. You are playing the game for your teammates. Give up all attachments to results. A true warrior does not even fear Death because he knows the spirit never dies. The score is always 0-0. Stand up and win the State Championship. Final score: Manhasset 14, Corning East 4. A crush job from the opening whistle. Corning never knew what hit them.

Fast forward to Aug. 6, 1995; Schoellkopf Field, Cornell University; Empire State Finals: Long Island vs. Central N.Y. State. Central scored first (Ryan Powell), then it was over before it began. LI 3-1 at the quarter; 8-1 at halftime; final 11-4. Buttles won 17 of 18 face-offs; Papa held Ryan Powell to one goal; Denihan and Goettelmann each had two goals and one assist.

Fast forward again to June 9, 2000, the all-American celebration. Manhasset had the most All Americans (6) of any team in the United States. Wonder why?

Can the current crop of Manhasset parents visualize these results for their children in future years...do they have what it takes...Ride the wild horse.