On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 7 p.m., Neshaminy will face Pennsbury in the fourth annual Doug ‘Grandpa’ Greenfield Cup game at Pennsbury High School.
Something’s going to be missing – or rather someone is going to be missing when Neshaminy travels to Pennsbury on Tuesday night for the fourth annual Doug ‘Grandpa’ Greenfield Cup contest.
For the first time in the four years the game has been held, Greenfield – who passed away earlier this month - will not be there to make the trophy presentation to the winning team.
“This year his family will be presenting the trophy,” Pennsbury coach Drew Artin said. “They’ve confirmed they’d like to continue with the tradition of having a family member hand it off, so I think that’s awesome. It speaks a lot about how much this game means to the community.”
Greenfield – who played lacrosse at the University of Delaware - started the lacrosse program at Pennsbury and served as a mentor and friend to all who came through the program over the past 17 years.
“His daughter will be presenting the trophy, and she was telling me – to see the game under the lights on the football field is crazy because they had to fight tooth and nail to even use the school’s name at one point in the early days,” Artin said. “That says a lot about how far lacrosse has come in the 17 years. That’s a testament to (Greenfield) building the sport up and being so committed to it.”
Artin was instrumental in initiating the annual game.
“When I was an assistant coach, I knew how much grandpa meant to the team and the area,” Artin said. “I played at Notre Dame High School, so I knew about him, but I wasn’t coached by him.
“When he stepped away from coaching, I asked him – ‘What game do you see as a rivalry game?’ He said, ‘The boys will tell you it’s Holy Ghost, but I know it’s Neshaminy, and it’s always Neshaminy.’ That’s something I view as a rivalry game. We’re two of the larger schools in the area. A lot of kids do youth lacrosse that feeds both schools.
With Greenfield’s blessing, the annual game began. Neshaminy won the first two years, and the Falcons – winners last year – have been in possession of the cup this past year.
“It’s been a great tradition,” Artin said. “I think it really elevates the level of play in the area, especially for this game.
“It brings the communities together and makes it mean a little something more. Doug is a Lower Bucks legend for lacrosse. Anyone who’s been around the sport or knows Pennsbury lacrosse – they ask how Grandpa is doing. Unfortunately, he’s not with us anymore.”
Greenfield, who was 89, was still making his presence felt this season, and he spoke to the Falcons at halftime of the Marple Newtown game a week before he passed away.
“Steve Pesature saw him right before he passed away – he just wanted everyone to know that it’s not about him,” Artin said. “It’s about the sport, the game and the tradition.
“As much as he loved being that guy, he also understood and was very humbled and grateful for the opportunities he had. It was just a nice little recognition for what he’s done and his contributions to the sport and to the program.”
Artin admits it still feels strange not having Greenfield on the sidelines.
“We talked on the phone after games, and he would always give me tips and his insight,” the Falcons’ coach said. “There’s always emotion behind this game. It’s a rivalry game. The communities are close.
“Not having Doug here, it’s going to be different. Even at halftime of the Marple Newtown game, he said, ‘This is a team game.’ Obviously, there are emotions involved, and it will be different without him there. Doug epitomized Pennsbury lacrosse. He meant so much to the program. We’ll try and keep the cup at home.”
- Log in to post comments
