Lacrosse is known as the Medicine Game, gifted by the Creator with the power of healing.
That positive energy was focused last week on The Lacrosse Barn in Addison, Texas, located on the north side of the Dallas Metroplex. Over 200 girls gathered for the Sister Sister Community Clinic, introducing and teaching lacrosse to new and novice players.
While seeking to grow the game, the clinic also had a larger purpose – to provide emotional healing to a grieving community.
Last summer, sisters Blair & Brooke Harber tragically passed away in the horrific floods in Central Texas. Blair, 13, and Brooke, 11, were vacationing with their family in the Casa Bonita cabin community when the devastating flash floods tore through the area in the early morning hours of July 4. Their cabin was washed away by the raging waters of the Guadalupe River.
“We wanted to figure out the right way to honor the girls,” said Meredith Hood, one of the clinic organizers and a program leader with the Crusaders Lacrosse club. Both sisters were members of the Crusaders program.
Once announced, the clinic quickly gained momentum and took shape. Organizers had no difficulty in finding all the support needed. Over 25 coaches volunteered to provide instruction, including high school coaches from 14 different schools and nine local clubs. Many of the coaches brought along older players who also assisted.
“Brooke and Blair both were incredible lights in our community and to have the opportunity to honor them in this way was a real privilege,” said Jimmy Watson, one of the clinic coaches who also served as Brooke’s club coach. “It was very special seeing so many girls who have never played the game before having smiles on their faces. The event was full of joy, which is how Brooke played lacrosse.”
The goal from the Harber’s yard that the sisters used for practice, painted in their favorite colors of pink and yellow, was the centerpiece at the clinic. USA Lacrosse and Gait Lacrosse donated sticks, while Lacrosse Unlimited provided eyewear.
Registration filled quickly, forcing the organizers to divide the clinic into two sessions – one for ‘Little Sisters’ (preK-2nd grade) and one for ‘Big Sisters’ (3rd-8th). Both groups had about 100 participants, with a total of 207 girls attending.
Nick Tintle, a former collegiate All-American and owner of The Lacrosse Barn, a state-of-the-art training facility, provided generous support to accommodate the clinic.
“Supporting the Sister Sister clinic was deeply meaningful to us,” Tintle said. “Lacrosse has a way of healing the soul and bringing people together in powerful moments. Being able to honor Brooke and Blair through the game they loved was incredibly special, and seeing over 200 girls on the field, many playing for the first time, was a beautiful reminder that their legacy is growing the game, impacting lives, and bringing the community together.”
Registration for the event was free, but donations were accepted to benefit the Blair & Brooke Beloved Sisters Fund. The fund was established by their parents, RJ and Annie, to support areas of passion for their daughters, including sports programs and Catholic primary school education. Both sisters attended St. Rita’s Catholic School.
The fund website describes Blair, a rising eighth grader, as a sweet, kind, loving, and compassionate girl who was an excellent student, alter server, and chef. She was a multi-sport athlete who loved lacrosse and also played soccer and basketball.
Brooke is described as a star athlete and competitor who tackled every challenge with determination and strength. Full of infectious energy, she also brought people together through her fun demeanor and her ability to make everyone laugh.
The clinic raised $58,000 for the Beloved Sisters Fund while also uniting the local Catholic and lacrosse communities. Healing was a byproduct.
The organizers have already begun discussions about making the clinic an annual event to honor the memory of the Harber sisters.
“It was a smashing success,” Hood said. “We’re all still grieving, but healing was happening. It was impossible not to feel the love in that room. The sport will grow out of love.”
Over 200 girls participated in the Sister Sister Community Clinic in Dallas on February 7. (Photo by Knox Chambers)
