Benny Watters, the 5-year-old adopted brother of the Forester football team, passed away early Wednesday morning after a three-year battle with a brain stem tumor (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma - DIPG). He is the son of Lake Forest residents Brendan and Lisa Watters and younger brother of Bella and Lily.
"Our team is greatly saddened by Benny's passing," commented Forester head football coach Jim Catanzaro. "Benny and his family embodied the Friends of Jaclyn motto to 'Live in the moment, play in the moment.' Whether Benny was playing Wii, carving pumpkins, or tackling our practice dummies, he lived each moment to the fullest. There is no doubt that he inspired our players to do the same. Benny's influence was not limited to our team. His vibrant smile and infectious enthusiasm was welcomed and infused into our entire campus community. Just as Benny will forever be in the hearts of every Forester that he met, Brendan, Lisa, Lilly and Bella, will forever be members of the Forester Family. Our players, coaches, parents, and fans of our program will be keeping the Watters family in our thoughts and prayers during their time of grieving."
Last year, the Lake Forest College football team made the decision to "adopt" a local child through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. FOJ matches a child with a college or high school sports team based on geographic location.
The team contacted Friends of Jaclyn after Catanzaro showed his squad an HBO Real Sports segment about Jaclyn Murphy and the women's lacrosse team at Northwestern University. The players gave Catanzaro "an overwhelming and emotional yes" when asked if they'd like to get involved and Catanzaro was put in touch with Benny's family.
Benny and his family have made several visits to campus and
joined the squad for numerous activities, including the 2010 team
photo in late August. His most recent appearance was at a lemonade
stand he and his family set up at last Saturday's season-opening
football game against Concordia University Chicago.
Last fall Benny served as an honorary team captain and was out on the 50-yardline for the traditional pre-game coin toss. Joining him was (then) 7-year-old Luke Peters, who the Foresters' opponents that day, the Lawrence University Vikings, adopted through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.
The College has established a scholarship fund in Benny's honor. For more information, including the opportunity to donate to the fund, visit www.lakeforest.edu/bennywatters.
For more information about Benny, including a journal that describes his interaction with the Forester football team, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/bennywatters or www.bennysworld.org. For information about the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org.
| Visitation Friday, September 17th, 2010 4-8:00 p.m. Wenban Funeral Home 320 E. Vine Avenue Lake Forest, Illinois Ph: (847) 234 0022 |
A Celebration of Life Saturday, September 18th, 2010 10:00 a.m. Church of Saint Mary 175 E. Illinois Road Lake Forest, Illinois |
