University of North Carolina Athletics
From Fetzer To Finley: Flanny's Eleemosynary Inclination
August 13, 2010 | Men's Lacrosse
Aug. 13, 2010
- Contribute To Flanagan's Fields of Growth International Project
Dave Lohse
Associate Athletic Communications Director
There will be a special place in heaven for Ryan Flanagan.
The senior defenseman on North Carolina's men's lacrosse team and the co-winner of the 2010 Schmeisser Memorial Cup as the nation's top collegiate defender last season is about to embark on a four-month odyssey that is likely to be the most challenging and rewarding 120 days of his life.
Flanagan, a three-time ACC men's lacrosse All-Academic honoree, was on schedule to earn his degree in December 2010. His professional life had already received a boost from the fact he was interning this summer at Bank of America in Manhattan. But there is little reward for graduating early in NCAA eligibility parlance. While student-athletes regularly extend their eligibility to fifth years and in extraordinary circumstances sixth years, you're not similarly rewarded if you graduate a semester early and you happen to play a spring sport. Had Flanagan done so he would have needed to apply, be accepted and enroll in graduate school at UNC in spring 2011 in order to compete for a Tar Heel team expected to be amongst the best in the nation.
But Flanagan, who is affectionately referred to as Flanny by those who know him best, is far from the ordinary student-athlete. From the day he walked on campus in 2007 he's been not only an exceptional athlete but also a remarkable student. He's also simply one heck of a nice guy.
I remember the first time I met Ryan Flanagan, the details of which won't be revealed here, but is still a tale which makes both of us chuckle. Let it suffice to say Flanny arrived in Chapel Hill a few months later as one of the most mature freshmen I've ever encountered in my 36 years in this business. I remember the first road trip with Flanny like it was yesterday. Here was this behemoth, standing 6-6 and weighing in around 195-200 pounds. A takeaway artist supreme with his long stick and a rugged physical presence on the defensive end, he plays with an intensity that rivals the best. And he does so without fouling a lot.
That imposing physical presence belies his true nature, however. I was impressed that from the get go Flanny eschewed the most popular seats in the back of the bus. He sat in the front and read the whole trip. He held deep conversations with the adults on the bus. I consider myself truly fortunate to have been included in many of those meaningful tête-à-têtes with Flanny.
So it came as no surprise to me that just a few weeks ago Flanny texted me with a request to help him proofread a web page he had created. When I read his work my heart filled with immense pride that I work at a school has helped foster someone of his character.
You see, Flanny is going to retain that semester of eligibility and return to Chapel Hill in January to help his teammates pursue UNC's first national championship since 1991.
In the meantime, he will be volunteering with Fields of Growth International in southwest Uganda. Fields of Growth International in a non-profit organization that uses the game of lacrosse as a relational platform to foster friendships and deliver education, healthcare and various forms of human development in third world environments.
Flanny's own expenses for this endeavor must be covered entirely out of his own funds per NCAA regulations. He has however, spent most of the past month raising funds online and by running lacrosse clinics in New York and Vermont, to finance the work he will be doing in the Hopeful Uganda Peace Village project just a few weeks from now. He will be helping build a new school and orphanage while spearheading a poulty-rearing project - not just with his own sweat and two hands but also with the money he's raised. Gifts will also contribute to the Batwa Pygmy home project and the construction of an athletic field to allow the village's children to play lacrosse. A house for a family of four can be built for $700 U.S. dollars.
When Flanny asked me to proofread his web page and give my two cents worth, he told me his goal was to raise $10,000.00. I thought, wow, that is ambitious. I was afraid he might be disappointed if he got to say $7,000, which would have been a great feat, but short of his goal.
Flanny's innate charitable nature won out however and as of Friday he had raised $12,500 plus dollars toward the project from a donor list that topped the 100 mark in the past couple of days. Another lacrosse clinic is scheduled for Saturday that will hopefully bring in more funds.
This story already has a happy ending even before the plane for Africa has embarked. I know there are a lot of people out there who wish Flanny the best and hope, most importantly, that he stays out of harm's way. We know the work he will do is amazing. The experience he will have will likely color his worldview for a long time.
Please consider giving a gift to Fields of Growth International on Ryan's behalf. You can find a link on this page.
Finally, Flanny, if you are reading this, I just want you to know how honored I am to have you as a friend. If that is sappy, so be it. Safe travels comrade.
