The #GBSforNYC Campaign is back for 2025. First launched by Pat Kavanagh and CityLax in 2022, it has become an annual tradition in college lacrosse. While in previous years it has only been Kavanaghs participating, this year it has branched out beyond just the Kavanaghs and Notre Dame. All Americans CJ Kirst, of Cornell, will join All American Chris Kavanagh as a CityLax Ambassador for the year.
The #GBSforNYC campaign asks for support in the form of a $10 donation for every ground ball picked up by Kavanagh or Kirst. Last year, Pat and Chris Kavanagh raised over $7,000 for CityLax through the campaign. Chris had 43 ground balls a year ago, and Kirst had 35.
Links to pledge a donation for either Kirst or Kavanagh (or both, if you don’t want to pick sides), are available in the release below.
Full release:
Lacrosse All-Americans CJ Kirst and Chris Kavanagh to join CityLax as Ambassadors and renew the #GBSFORNYC Campaign
CityLax (@citylaxnyc) announced today that Chris Kavanagh and CJ Kirst are joining CityLax as Ambassadors for the 2025 season. The All-Americans will be renewing the #GBSFORNYC campaign that began with Pat Kavanagh in 2022. Both Kirst and Kavanagh are asking fans to pledge to donate $10 to CityLax for every ground ball they pick up this season. CityLax is looking forward to a friendly competition between the fan bases of Cornell and Notre Dame to see which group will have the most donors.
Kirst is excited to get started. “Working with CityLax appeals to me because I want to give back to the sport that has shaped so much of my life,” Kirst said. “I love how the organization uses lacrosse to open doors for kids and create opportunities they might not otherwise have. It’s meaningful to me to be a part of something that makes a real difference in people’s lives while helping grow the lacrosse community.” CityLax is approaching its 20th anniversary, and its founder Mat Levine feels the collaboration with Kirst brings the organization back to its roots. “As Founder of CityLax, I feel honored to have CJ as an ambassador for the upcoming season. Cornell has long been closely connected with the CityLax mission, as its legendary coach, Richie Moran, was extremely instrumental in helping get started in 2006 and serving on our board. CityLax also has a special relationship with CJ’s high school alma mater as Delbarton conducted a fundraising clinic for CityLax last March.”
This will be the 3rd straight year that a Kavanagh has participated in the #GBSFORNYC campaign and CityLax CEO Eamon McAnaney knows the timing for CityLax couldn’t be better. “The visibility that the Kavanaghs and Notre Dame have brought to lacrosse the last 2 years transcends the sport, and it has been unbelievable for CityLax to be along for the ride.” Chris and Pat combined to pick up 78 ground balls last year while leading the Irish to a second straight title and helping CityLax raise nearly 7 thousand dollars last year. “I love competing and working hard for my teammates, but with this partnership, my work ethic on the field gives others a possibility to play the game,” Kavanagh said. “When scooping each ground ball and creating extra possessions for my team, CityLax is in the back of my mind, which truly means a lot more. Each ground ball I pick up, essentially helps the effort to grow the game and put lacrosse sticks in young kids hands. I love being a part of growing the sport.”
Kirst joining the CityLax continues the long-time support CityLax has received from Cornell and its graduates. CityLax’s first middle school program in Queens was named in honor of Big Red legend Eamon McEneaney and there are 5 Cornellians on the CityLax board including all-time greats Tom Marino, Max Seibald and Rob Pannell. “Having CJ on board as an ambassador is a great win for CityLax,” said Pannell. “Not only is CJ the best player in college lacrosse, but he is an even greater young man. The excitement and energy he brings to everything he does is certainly going to move CityLax forward and bring more awareness to our mission of making lacrosse accessible to all young student athletes in the five boroughs.”
Kavanagh will begin his #GBSFORNYC campaign on February 12th when the Irish open up at home against Cleveland State while Kirst kicks off his season 3 days when Cornell travels to Lehigh and McAnaney knows there will be young lacrosse fans across New York City paying attention. “Obviously fund raising and awareness are the life blood of any non-profit but the truly great thing about being associated with Chris and CJ is that it gives our students a chance to follow and become fans of the best players in the sport. That will only heighten the enthusiasm and passion for lacrosse with New York City public school students and that’s what CityLax’s mission has always been.”
To match Chris Kavanagh’s ground ball total click here https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI2MTk3
To match CJ Kirst’s ground ball total click here https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI2MTk0
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