Sports

A Decade of Saving Lives: 10th Annual Acompora Jamboree

The is hosting its 10th annual jamboree to support its effort to continue increasing the awareness for the need of public access to defibrillators to prevent death from sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and to commemorate “A Decade of Saving Lives."

While only a freshman at , Louis Acompora was already a highly touted lacrosse goalie. As the captain of the freshman team, he was being groomed to be the next star varsity goaltender for Northport, a lacrosse powerhouse at the high school level. On March 25, 2000, in his first high school game, tragedy struck. With his parents on the sidelines, he blocked what appeared to be a routine shot with his chest. He took a few steps and collapsed on the field. The coaches and trainers rushed out and after realizing Louis was not breathing they began to administer CPR. The paramedics arrived almost 15 minutes after Louis’ collapse. They attempted defibrillation but were too late. Louis passed away. He was 14 years old.

Louis’ parents, John and Karen Acompora came to realize his death could have been prevented if the school had owned a portable automated external defibrillator (AED). A defibrillator revives cardiac arrest victims with an electric shock to the chest. After Louis died, the Acompora’s started a grassroots campaign to raise awareness among schools and other public institutions about the importance of owning an AED, a simple device that would have saved Louis’ life. 

The Acompora's have been working ever since to make sure others do know about defibrillators and that they are available. 

The 2011 LJA Lacrosse Jamboree will host four highly ranked boys’ league games.

The matchups are: Northport vs Corning; Shoreham-Wading River vs Rocky Point; Walt Whitman vs Eastport /South Manor; Mahopac vs East Islip, and Northport girls vs. Huntington. 

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The LJA Memorial Jamboree will be held at Veterans Park,279 Bellerose Ave., East Northport,  Saturday, April 2.

The first game will begin at 10am. The full schedule will be posted www.la12.org.
Sponsors for this year’s event will be Top Shelf Provisions, Minuteman Press International, Brine/Warrior Lacrosse, Top Banana, Entenmanns, Frito-Lay, , Coca-Cola, , A-Z Rental and Crescent Meat Packing. 

The Long Island Lizards will also be there with games and giveaways. Food will be offered for a nominal charge. "We are looking forward to a great day of lacrosse and invite everyone to come and enjoy the day," say the Acompora family members.

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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