Image: Ashley Cayon | Marlin Chronicle
Sam Jones records two assists in charity Army-Navy match.
PHILADELPHIA — On Aug. 29 at Subaru Park, two special operations forces met each other in battle. Instead of a military operation, the Navy SEAL Foundation faced off against the Green Beret Foundation in the Premier Lacrosse League’s second annual Stars and Stripes Classic.
Virginia Wesleyan University Men’s Lacrosse Coach Sam Jones participated in the event for the second straight year.
For Jones, the weekend had a special significance. “Just such a humbling weekend hanging out and playing ball with some of the most epic guys you’ll ever meet. They’ve been heroes to me since I was a little kid and they still are today. Being able to represent that jersey and those guys is everything to me. Truly an honor of my life,” Jones said.
Sam Jones, coach of Men’s LAX. Jones played for the SEALs.
Photo: Virginia Wesleyan | Courtesy
While an official box score was not available because participants included active-duty service members, Jones recorded two points, both assists. Early in the game, he brought the ball out of the back corner and delivered a perfect pass in front of goal to set up a teammate’s score. The second came from a nifty move where Jones shifted from above the goal and darted a pass through traffic to his teammate across the cage.
“It’s awesome,” Jones said. “Just appreciating the opportunity to be out there with guys that have been heroes to me most of my life is incredible. Could not be more grateful … It’s an honor to be able to contribute in even a small way.”
The Stars and Stripes Classic is a charity match that aims to bring together professional lacrosse players, military veterans and supporters of both service foundations. The Navy SEAL Foundation, which provides support to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families, organized the Navy side. The Green Beret Foundation, which supports U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers and families through advocacy, transition assistance and family support programs, faced off opposite to them.
Although the game was framed as a friendly competition, the intensity was palpable.
“This is as competitive of a game I’ve ever been in,” Jones said. “A lot of people from the outside probably look at it differently, but at the end of the day it’s Army-Navy which is a rivalry that’s hard to describe. What people don’t see is that field is chock full of former Division I and professional players. You show up to win and it’s a brutal 48 minutes of hard-fought lacrosse.”
“You’re not out there just for fun. We’re there to win. It’s in their DNA to compete,” he said. For the second year, the Navy SEAL Foundation emerged victorious.
According to Jones, the deciding factor was team chemistry. “I think we were just together … that’s a group of guys that is as close as any team I’ve ever been a part of. It makes you want to play hard for each other,” Jones said.
Off the field, this match is another example of the relationship between lacrosse and military service. Players, coaches and organizers alike see the sport’s values as naturally aligned with those of the armed forces. “A lot of the traits that make you a good teammate on the lacrosse field are transferable to the military,” Jones said.
That connection has also taken root locally. Virginia Wesleyan’s Men’s Lacrosse team has scrimmaged against the Navy SEAL Foundation squad both this year and last year, creating a budding relationship. The scrimmages developed naturally from there. “Our guys are great about it and I think they take a lot away from the NSF guys,” Jones said. “I got a lot of comments from the NSF guys saying our guys were gritty and played hard. Any time you have a bunch of Navy SEALs saying that, you have to feel pretty good about it.” Aiden Freeland, senior goalkeeper, said that the NSF players had “pure rage behind their shot.”
Representing both Virginia Wesleyan and the Navy SEAL Foundation carries a sense of pride for Jones. “I love working here and the people make every day of my life a blessing. Always fighting,” Jones said. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be able to have those opportunities with the people I have them with.”
As for Virginia Wesleyan’s Men’s Lacrosse Team, they are working hard in preparation for the season start. After making it back to the playoffs following an almost decade long drought, the Marlins are looking to build on that momentum. “Batten University Lacrosse is engaged and ready to go,” Jones said.
Editor’s Note: Roman Foster, member of the men’s LAX team, contributed to the article.
By: Eli Casey & Roman Foster
emcasey@vwu.edu
rdfoster1@vwu.edu
