Opening Ceremonies Kick Off Empires

July 21, 2010

The Long Island contingent prepares to enter UB Stadium at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Empire State Games.

Amherst, N.Y. — Never mind the 10-hour bus ride, the lack of sleep or dorm living. Long Island’s scholastic boys lacrosse team savored every moment of Wednesday’s night’s Opening Ceremonies of the 32nd Empire State Games.

It was a journey which began on crowded fields at Bay Shore and Syosset high schools in early June. The 20 players who made it to Buffalo survived a gruelling tryout process, 12 exhibition games, countless practices and finally a late-night bus ride across the state. All to reach this point.

New York’s five-day Olympic-style festival kicked off with a celebration at the University at Buffalo’s 29,000-seat UB Stadium. Each of the six competing regions paraded into the stadium to cheers and camera flashes. Parks Commissioner Carol Ash addressed the crowd and then came the athletes’ oath. The lighting of the torch was an emotional moment — as always. A rousing performance by “Third Eye Blind” followed by fireworks capped the night.

All the preparation and pomp is over. Game on. Long Island, going for an unprecedented fifth straight gold medal, faces Western at 9 a.m. Thursday at Canisius College.