When Jake was ten years old, he was paired with Lebanon Valley College men’s lacrosse through Team IMPACT. Throughout the past two years, he has gained more than a teammate with Jacob LaRue—a friend, mentor, and supporter.
Living with cerebral palsy and additional diagnoses, Jake has faced challenges throughout his life with strength and positivity. From the moment he stepped onto Arnold Field to meet the team, his connection with defender Jacob LaRue stood out immediately among the group. Jake and Jacob share more than the same first name. They share an unbreakable bond. “Whatever the reason,” Jake’s mom, Kari said, “the bond they share is one that reminds us how powerful simple acts of compassion can be, and how a single player’s heart can make a lifelong impact.
“He’s kind, helpful, and nice,” Jake said simply when asked about LaRue.
For Jacob, Jake is more than an honorary teammate. He became a source of encouragement and unwavering support during one of the most difficult seasons of his life. Early in the 2024 season, Jacob was sidelined by a serious head injury that would require a long recovery. Like many athletes in that situation, Jacob struggled with the uncertainty that comes from sitting on the sidelines.
That is when Jake stepped in.
Jake sat alongside his friend on the sidelines, week after week, providing high-fives and good energy. Jake reminded Jacob that healing takes time, and together they celebrated every step forward. Jake’s positivity never wavered. “Jake’s belief in Jacob made it so Jacob could keep sight of what truly matters,” Kari said.
And it wasn’t only Jake’s family who noticed this but also Jacob’s. Kari said Jacob’s family told her that they are not sure Jacob would have handled and worked back from his injury the way he did without Jake. “Jake’s friendship carried Jacob when he needed it the most,” she said. “The LaRue family said that Jake being a part of the LVCMLAX team has been a blessing for their son and their entire family.”
But for Kari, what truly sets Jacob apart is how he finds inspiration in the successes of others and uses that as further inspiration to share with others. “From the beginning, he treated Jake not as a symbol or a story, but as a brother on the field, in the locker room and a valued part of the team,” Kari said. “He goes out of his way to include him in practices and the weight room, he celebrates his moments and makes sure to check in on him after practices to make sure he feels seen, supported, and respected.”
And though Jake and Jacob’s friendship is undoubtedly special, it’s not only Jake who Jacob treats like this. Kari said Jacob is a friend to everyone and a leader on the team. “Jacob leads through action rather than volume,” she said. “He treats every teammate with respect. The bond he has with Jake has become a reflection of the type of culture he helps to create: kindness, unity, and genuine care for others. The coaches trust him; his peers and team rely on him and new players to the team quickly feel welcome because of the example he sets. He celebrates others’ successes just as loudly as his own and steps in whenever someone needs support.”
This mindset encompasses the friendship between Jake and Jacob. Together, they have changed each other’s lives, Jake helped Jacob find strength in his recovery, and Jacob made a space where Jake could be unapologetically himself.
“Jake is more than a sideline teammate to Jacob,” his family shared. “Jake is his brother, and their bond will last a lifetime. Jacob represents everything the award stands for: heart, resilience, leadership and impact that goes far beyond the game.”
“Because every voice and story deserves a place to shine,” Kari said. “Inclusion is powerful, and every child deserves the chance to say ‘I can.’”
And with every interaction, Jacob helps fuel that in Jake.
