April 11, 2008

Washington, D.C. - In many ways, he is a walking ambassador for the Georgetown men's lacrosse program these days.

He helps out at practice, the coaches lean on him to help out on a day-to-day basis, upperclassmen pick his brain for suggestions and underclassmen look to him for guidance. And when young kids come to practice or games, Matt McBride is there to greet them with a smile,

Off the field, McBride is among the many student-athletes who visits young children at the Georgetown University Hospital to lift up their spirits. He will graduate in May as a pre-med major and has a job waiting for him at Goldman Sachs in New York City.

But when the Hoyas, ranked No. 4 in the country in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Coaches' poll, face off against Loyola in a game that could decide the ECAC Lacrosse League title on Saturday, you won't see McBride wearing his No. 15 on the field.

In the season opener of the 2007 season against Maryland, McBride, starting on attack, was on the crease and had received a pass from up top. As he turned to shoot at the goal, he was hit in the head by a Terrapins defender. He went down and, from what he recalls, was out.

And that, in many ways, was the end of Matt McBride's playing career . Team doctors concluded that he had suffered a concussion. It was the second one he had suffered in two years, and third including one during high school, but he thought he would have a chance to come back.

"I remember a little bit of what happened in the season opener," McBride said while recalling the play. "I was knocked out for a few seconds, but then stumbled off the field. This is a physical game and it can happen at any time."

McBride came to Georgetown in 2005 as part of a talented class that includes fellow attackers Andrew Baird and Brendan Cannon, along with goalie Miles Kass.

When he was a freshman, McBride, Baird and Cannon combined for 43 points. McBride himself scored 10 goals and 12 points on a team that went 10-5 and reached the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. As a sophomore, he scored six goals and had eight points as the Hoyas went 12-3 and again reached the quarters.

Entering his junior year, McBride felt the sense of leadership beginning to fall on his, and his classmates, shoulders. It was something he was ready for, even excited to take on.

"Preparing for my junior year was important for me, as well as the rest of the guys in my class," McBride said. "As I became one of the upperclassmen and on-field leaders I still had a lot to learn from my teammates, but I also understood that more responsibility on and off the field would now fall on my shoulders."

With one quick blow to head, however, McBride was left on the sidelines. He had suffered concussions twice before, the most recent during Georgetown's 2006 season, forcing him to miss three games. McBride, remembering what it was like the year before, hoped that he could return in a week or two.

"At that point, I had two other concussions, so I assumed I would be back around the same time I recovered from my previous concussion, which was about 1-2 weeks," he said. "Initially, I was frustrated because I felt I was letting the team down, but I figured I would be back by mid-season."

A week or two stretched into April and May and by that point, he could see the writing on the wall.

"There was not a specific point," McBride said, "but I realized when my health did not improve over the course of the season that lacrosse would unfortunately have to be put on hold."

It was a hard thing for McBride to swallow. When he came to Georgetown, he envisioned being part of a "great program, with a lot of history, which would allow me the opportunity to learn from and compete with the best in the game."

Heeding the words of Head Coach Dave Urick and his staff, who told him they still wanted him to be part of the program and for him to commit as much time as he wanted, McBride moved into a different role.

In many ways, McBride is a shining example of Georgetown lacrosse.

How else to explain how a player who will not dress for a game this season and has not since the third game of the 2007 season was voted as one of the team's captains this season.

"It was an honor to be named captain, especially knowing that I would not be playing this year," McBride said. "I can't express in words the gratitude I feel toward my teammates and coaches for respecting my decision to not play, and yet still remain a part of this team."

He's been more than that, attending every practice and going to every road game. "I have made it a point to be around for every practice and game because I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," McBride said. "I have a responsibility to this team, and I love being there. I look at these guys as I would my own brothers."

And like any brother, he's there for them just as they are for him. The effects of the concussions still visit him, as he gets headaches now and then. And while he can't run and work out with the team, he does spend time after each practice passing balls to active players as they work on their shots.

"This year I have had to take on a role that was entirely new to me," McBride said. "I saw this opportunity as a challenge, and it has been. But I am working hard to make sure I am helping out in every way I can."

That help can include sending passes to players in post-practice workouts, telling his teammates, like Scott Kahoe, what he sees on the field during a game.

"I have learned and am still learning a lot about myself through the experience of the last two years," McBride said. "It has not been easy, but in the words of Coach U, "if it was easy, anyone could do it.

"I have learned to always have a positive mindset, because having one will not only impact me, but also those around me. I have also learned how important my teammates, who I can call my own brothers, have been to me."

Being one of the elder statesmen on the team and a captain, McBride has also found himself in the situation where he is a counselor to some of the younger players too.

"On the field, I have always been one to lead by example, so not being on the field challenged me to lead in different ways," McBride said. "I have tried to instill within the younger guys the importance of a strong work ethic, having fun, but more importantly not taking for granted the opportunity they have to play this game. I have always treated the younger guys on team like my little brother, someone who I am always looking after."

Through it all, McBride has tried to maintain a positive attitude. He itches to be out on the field and to play with his classmates, his teammates and his friends, but realizes the stakes.

"It's been tough," he said, "especially because at times, I feel like I am letting my teammates down. But at the end of the day, I am fortunate to have teammates who respect my situation and understand that my health comes first."

So while No. 15 may appear only on the roster and not on the field, McBride has certainly made his presence felt on the Hilltop.

"I do miss playing," McBride said. "Everyday I wish I was out on the field with the guys. You don't realize how much you miss something until you have lost it.

"But because of the new role I have developed, I feel very involved in what is going on in practice and in the games. I have the team and the coaches to thank for that. When I was playing, I would always work as hard as I could to help the team, now I'm trying to do the same, just in a different way."

By Mike "Mex" Carey Sports Information Director