Having watched the 2007 team play in the NCAA semifinals and hearing Jeff talk about George and the 2004 season, I was struck by how clear it was that George impacted not only his team, but also Cornell's entire program. After all, many of the players on the 2007 team had never even met George, but they were still inspired by him.

The 2004 season was just the beginning of George's impact on the Cornell lacrosse program. Jeff told me that they had never reassigned his locker, which still has a picture of George and a #21 jersey inside. Guys see George's picture and are reminded of his spirit and presence every day. George lost his life playing the game he loved. How could the players who come after him not give their best effort? Everyone knew how hard he had played for the team, and they wanted to play well for him. As a result, Cornell's lacrosse team became a selfless and effort-driven program. Schoellkopf Field became known as “George's House.” Before every home game, the team would say, “We have to protect George's house.” Players tracked “Boiardi Stats,” consisting of ground balls, hustle, and selfless plays, and those who played for the team—as opposed to personal glory—were recognized. “Boiardi Stats” became part of the Cornell lacrosse vernacular and culture. If you were told to give a Boiardi-like effort, you knew you had to step up your drive and game. George's actions to organize his teammates to read to elementary school children eventually became an official program called the Big Red Readers program that still exists today. Upperclassmen told incoming freshmen about George, and the last class to play with him (2007 graduates) even made a video about George to share with future Cornell lacrosse players, which can be found on www.HardHat21.com.

Since learning about George and the 2004 season, I have followed the Cornell team and program very closely, and observed how they have climbed to a new level to become one of the top teams in the country. Since 2004, they have won the Ivy League title and made it to the NCAA tournament every year, except for 2012. They also made it to the NCAA Final Four in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013, and to the finals in 2009.

Anyone watching can feel that the Cornell team is driven by a bigger purpose, and now I understand the motivation behind it. They were no longer just playing lacrosse. They were playing for George, in George's House. They didn't focus solely on winning; they also focused on being great teammates. This didn't guarantee wins, but it guaranteed they would give their all to each other in the process.