On the 10th Fan Appreciation Day, UVM athletes will express their thanks to the fans who have supported them all year.
The event will take place at Virtue Field April 30 as the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams take on Binghamton University in the last regular season home game of the year.
The day will consist of the women’s game at 3p.m and the neb’s at 7 p.m, with a Fan Appreciation Day intermission starting at 6 p.m.
During that time the Student Alumni Association will provide lawn games, music and giveaways.
As SpringFest winds down, students and the general public can make their way from Jeffords Parking lot to Virtue Field for the day’s festivities and the men’s game at 7 p.m, according to UVM Athletics.
Aside from being the last home game of the year, both teams will be celebrating their veteran teammates with senior day.
Players on both teams showed excitement to be able to share the day with fans who have supported them this year and throughout their careers.
“As a player, Fan Appreciation is a day where we get to show how much our fans mean to us,” Henry Linde-Elmhirst, a senior on the men’s team, said.
“Half our season is played in February and March, which aren’t exactly the warmest months of the year, so our fans are pretty dedicated to stick it out. For that, they mean a lot to us.”
Senior midfielder Margaret Nealon expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the chance to show fans how much they mean to her.
“It gives us [athletes] an opportunity to let our fans know how much they mean to us,” Nealon said.
“We have so much respect for our fans because they are always there, despite the unbearable winter temperatures and conditions we play in.”
In addition to being Fan Appreciation Day and Senior Day, Saturday is also Youth and High School Lacrosse Day, where Vermont’s next generation of lacrosse players have the opportunity to attend the game with free admission.
“Being able to play in front of the local high school and youth players hits home on so many levels,” Linde-Elmhirst said.
“When you grow up playing sports competitively you’re always striving to play at the next level, and being able to inspire young players to play on the field you’re playing on is definitely something to play for,” she said.
In addition, Linde-Elmhirst said he embraced the chance to help increase the sport’s popularity within the state.
“Lacrosse in Vermont still has a ton of growing room, despite its popularity in the rest of New England,” he said. “Being able to help grow the game here is a pretty special feeling as well.”
Nealon discussed the value in playing in front of younger players who are interested in the game.
“This is an amazing opportunity for us, and it is so rewarding to look out at the stands and see so many young, aspiring athletes,” she said. “All of us on the field were in their shoes at one point, so we really appreciate them coming out to our games.”
