Madlax to Host Heros Lacrosse Tourney at CUA
Event will be in honor of T.J. Barbieri 

4/19/2007 

WASHINGTON- Catholic University's Cardinal Stadium is the site of the First Annual CUA Hero's Lacrosse Tournament this Saturday. This tournament is sponsored by and coordinated through Madlax Lacrosse.  The tournament will feature four high school games played throughout the day and a BBQ. 

This year, the tournament will be in honor of U.S. Army Specialist Thomas "T.J." Barbieri II, 24, of Gaithersburg, Maryland who died on August 23, 2006, south of Baghdad, Iraq when his patrol countered enemy forces small arms fire during combat operations.  

T.J.'s parents, Carol and Tom, have been devoted members of the Catholic University community.  Tom is currently an assistant coach for the Cardinal football team and their son Matt, one of T.J.'s three brothers, is a sophomore midfielder on the lacrosse squad. 

T.J. was a funny, artistic, determined and loving person to all who knew him, who died a noble and heroic man doing what he had always wanted.  For his actions while serving, T.J. has been awarded with a Purple Heart, as well as the distinguished Bronze and Silver Stars. 

Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Achilles Track Club Freedom Team of wounded veterans.  The team works with soldiers that were wounded in action from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Money will also go to veterans associations that work with wounded vets at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  Thanks to tournament sponsors one handcrank wheelchair has already been purchased and donated in T.J.'s name.  The chair will be made available to wounded veterans during the rehabilitation process.

The chair will be on display along with antique fire trucks from the Rockville Fire Department, which T.J. was a volunteer for, at the event BBQ held next to the field. Fans will also have an opportunity to meet servicemen from T.J.'s unit as well as members of the Achille Track Club.

Hero's Lacrosse Tournament Schedule
11:00a.m. DeMatha Catholic High ( Md.) vs. Good Counsel High ( Md.)
12:00p.m. BBQ Begins
1:00p.m. Paul VI Catholic High (Va.) vs. Towson Catholic High ( Md.)
3:00p.m. St. Augustine Prep ( N.J.) vs. Holy Cross High( N.J.)
5:00p.m. McLean High ( Va.) vs. South Lakes High (Va.)

Admission is $5
Parking is available in the DuFour Center lot or along Hawaii Avenue which is adjacent to the stadium
T-shirts will be available for purchase with proceeds going to benefit charities associated with Walter Reed Army Hospital

DIRECTIONS