Onondaga Nation
By Kent Lyons
March 22, 2009
A huge outpouring of compassion came from the world of lacrosse on all levels to show support for Travis Solomon; a champion, a teammate and a friend. Travis is battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Approximately, 5,600 people are diagnosed with ALS in the United States each year, and at this point there is no known cure. Like the tough position that he loves to play on the field Travis has made it clear that he will continue to do what he can, for as long as he can, and, as we have all come to know, the very best that he can, day by day.
The Su-Virginia halftime show highlighted Travis’s career and brought the love and admiration that SU holds for it’s own, for to them he is their Champion, capturing the National Lacrosse title in 1983. Travis played for the Orange from 1981 to 1983, earning honorable mention All-America honors in 1983. He finished with 293 career saves, including 259 during the Orange’s run to the NCAA title, which ranks fifth on the school’s single-season saves list. Surrounded by his Championship teammates, his family and friends Travis waved to the crowd and held his grandson on his lap, flanked by fellow goalies Matt Palumb, and his brother Joe, as their Dome Cart circled the field. There were tears for old friends, for great plays, for good memories and being young. The 16- thousand-plus, crowd rose to their feet and gave an ovation for “Trav” the goaltender from Onondaga.
Saturday afternoon afforded the Lafayette and Onondaga communities to show their support for Travis, as the Lafayette Fire House hosted a Pig Roast with music by the two favorite Native Bands in Central New York, the Fabulous Ripchords and CornBred. The place was packed all day long and into the night, many fantastic items were donated for auction and the food was delicious. They say that true wealth is measured in how well one is liked, if that’s the case, Travis is a millionaire. All the best to Travis and Debbie, and their family.