AN UNLIKELY TEAMMATE

If you scan your eyes across the sidelines at a Penn State men’s lacrosse game, you may notice someone in a blue and white jersey who looks too young to be a collegiate athlete. Make no mistake, 10-year-old Gavin Royer is a member of the team. Now in his fifth season of partnership with men’s lacrosse through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, Gavin can be spotted holding Grant Ament’s backup stick next to the team at every home game. The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation partners children who are battling pediatric cancer with high school and college sports teams. Coach Jeff Tambroni, who described Gavin as a “strong glow of light,” sees the connection between his players and Gavin as brotherly. He is the first to ring the victory bell in the locker room and calls out plays from the sideline. The players wear a decal on the back of their helmets with Gavin’s name on it. His bond with the team is rooted in its core values.

The story appeared in the April 25-28, 2019 edition of The Daily Collegian and can be viewed in online format here.

It placed 19th in the Photojournalism Picture Story/Series Competition of the

2019-2020 Hearst Journalism Awards Program.

Brayden Peck talks to Gavin after the game against Penn. Peck often attends therapy with Gavin, following in the footsteps of his older brother, former Penn State Lacrosse player Tanner Peck.

Gavin listens to Coach Jeff Tambroni in the team huddle after a victory over Villanova.

Gavin covers his dad’s head with Grant Ament’s lacrosse stick during the game against Robert Morris. Ament gives his backup stick to Gavin so he can hold it during every game.

Gavin sings the alma mater with the team after the whiteout game against Ohio State.

Dariann Pastelok, Gavin's cousin, gives him a kiss on the forehead before the Johns Hopkins game.

Grant Ament hangs out with Gavin on the sideline late in the game against Johns Hopkins. Ament bonded with Gavin on the sidelines last season, as he couldn’t play because of an injury.

Gavin listens intently to head coach Jeff Tambroni’s post-game speech in the locker room.

Gavin and Brayden Peck embrace after Penn State won the regular season Big Ten title with a victory over Rutgers.

Gavin pretends to take a bite out of a giant Hershey’s bar that was originally gifted to Coach Jeff Tambroni. Gavin easily convinced Tambroni to give him the five-pound bar.

Head coach Jeff Tambroni jokes around with Gavin before the game against Johns Hopkins.

A ribbon with Gavin’s name is on the back of every Penn State men’s lacrosse helmet.

Gavin leads the handshake line as he is wheeled by Chris Sabia after the game against Ohio State.

Gavin and Chris Sabia break down the huddle after the victory against Johns Hopkins.

Gavin’s dad Dan puts Gavin’s ankle braces on before the whiteout game against Ohio State.

The print edition of my story in the April 25-28, 2019 edition of The Daily Collegian.