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Katie Cassidy Higgins ' presence was felt more than ever Sunday as hundreds of girls ranup and down the lacrosse fields at Convent of the Sacred Heart anddanced to the music in between games. Sacred Heart was like a second home to Higgins and Sunday, theschool paid tribute to the gifted young woman who had a positiveimpact on everyone she met. Her spirit, energy and love for athletics was celebrated at the10th annual Katie Cassidy Higgins Memorial Lacrosse Tournament atSacred Heart. A standout student-athlete, Cassidy Higgins diedtragically at the age of 19 after being struck by a motorcyclewhile crossing the street during her sophomore year at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., on Sept. 26, 1997. Tricia O'Callaghan, Katie's mother, smiled while watching theyoungsters play her daughter's favorite sport during Sunday'stournament. "I think of her every day and miss her more and more every day,"O'Callaghan said. "It gets harder as the years go on. But this is aday when I feel like I see her. Watching all of those girls runningon the field laughing and having a good time -- it gives me a senseof peace, because that's how Katie was." The tournament, which took place from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., featuredmore than 700 seventh and eighth grade girls from 28 teams in thetri-state area. The successful event included a silent auctionfeaturing an array of merchandise from local businesses andcompanies, food and refreshments, music and face painting. Proceedsfrom the tournament went toward Sacred Heart's Katie Cassidy Higgins Scholarship Fund . "It's a great tribute to Katie," O'Callaghan said. "She lovedsports and wanted other people to love sports as well. The St.Lawrence coach said the last time he saw her she was helping somefreshmen on the team with their shooting skills. That's how she was-- she was always willing to help and wanted everyone to feel goodabout themselves." Megan Cassidy Foley , Katie's aunt, began the annual tournament in 2002. "It's been amazing to watch it grow and grow each year," saidFoley, a 1985 CSH graduate. "Each year it's gotten bigger andbigger and we've added something else to it. I felt this was theperfect way to honor and remember Katie. She was a great athletewho was very passionate about lacrosse." Her 10-year-old daughter Clare Foley sold lemonade for 50 cents andby 12:30 p.m. had already raised $116 for the scholarship fund. "This is so much fun, I'm glad I decided to do it," said a smilingFoley, who was busy filling cups of lemonade throughout the day. Sacred Heart coach and teacher Sarah Hill helped Foley direct Sunday's tournament, which included teams suchas Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich Youth Lacrosse, DarienYouth Lacrosse, Bronxville Youth Lacrosse, Greenwich Academy Lightning and New Canaan Youth Lacrosse to name a few. Hill, who also helpedFoley begin the tournament, was Higgins varsity field hockey coach. "Katie was a dedicated athlete who was proud to be a part of SacredHeart's athletic program," Hill said. "She had tremendous teamspirit and was a great role model for her teammates." A member of Sacred Heart's varsity field hockey, basketball andlacrosse teams, Higgins, who scored a team-high 44 goals for the Tigers ' lacrosse squad her senior year, continued her athletic career atSt. Lawrence. Higgins played lacrosse at St. Lawrence and theschool pays tribute to her throughout each year. In 2002, St. Lawrence bought a 2,000-pound bell made in 1883 anddedicated it in her honor. The bell, which is mounted outside theathletic field house, is rung after each win the school records,regardless of the sport. Lindsay O'Callaghan was the recipient of this year's Katie Higgins Lacrosse Award.O'Callaghan, who graduated from CSH on Friday, served as co-captainof the Tigers' lacrosse team along with Alli Sciarretta . Both joined a group of their teammates Sunday, serving as gameofficials. "I love coming here each year and volunteering in Katie's honor,"said O'Callaghan, a cousin of Katie's. "I remember how much fun Ihad in middle school playing in the tournament, so it's nice tocome back even when I'm not playing." Said Sciarretta: "We have all learned a lot about Katie CassidyHiggins from being here each year. This tournament embodies herspirit. I enjoy coming here and seeing how much these young girlsenjoy playing lacrosse." Tigers varsity lacrosse coach Courtney DePeter was proud to see her team contribute to the event's success. "It was important for the girls to be here today," said DePeter,who coached her high school team in the school's alumni lacrossegame following the tournament. "A lot of the young girls here lookup to them, so seeing them help out and how much they love thesport provided a good example." Sacred Heart athletic director Kelly Stone once again received rave reviews about the tournament from theparticipants. "I have already received emails from people who left this morningtelling me what a great time they had," Stone said. "This is agreat way to celebrate Katie's life. It's like her extended familyis here. That's what makes it special." Indeed, it was a memorable, heart-warming day for TriciaO'Callaghan. "This is fabulous," O'Callaghan said. "It's what Katie was allabout." david.fierro@scni.com; 203-625-4423. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Spiral Welded Pipe , China Expanded Metal Mesh, and more. For more , please visit Woven Wire Mesh today!
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