This story first appeared on GoBrits.com.
In a storied program that features All-Americans, MIAA titles and an endless list of accolades, the most important player in the Albion men’s lacrosse program has never officially played in a contest.
Meet Harper Mathis – a 14-year-old from the Ann Arbor area battling brain cancer. For years, head coach Jake DeCola and the program have worked closely with the Vs. Cancer Foundation – a program committed to supporting those diagnosed with pediatric brain tumors. In 2021, the team paired up with Harper and leaned on its two captains at the time, Gerald Haadsma and Joey Tatar, to lead most of the early interactions. Those COVID-forced Zoom calls have led to years of friendship, support and memories as the relationship between the team and Harper has blossomed.
Vs. Cancer pairs up children with teams that mirror the sports they participate in. Harper, a soccer player, did not have any women’s soccer teams for her at the time of her getting introduced to the foundation.
“They had no female soccer teams but they had this men’s lacrosse team that was interested in getting to know us. At the time just coming out of COVID, we thought ‘Why not, we will give it a try’,” said Harper’s mother, Shellie Mathis. “Unbeknownst to us, the bond and connection we made quickly grew into what we consider today a family. The guys and the coaching staff have gone above and beyond for Harper and shown us how much they truly love and support her.”
Shellie and the Mathis family weren’t the only ones who quickly formed friendships, as the team immediately gravitated towards Harper’s positivity and radiance.
“When we first had the opportunity to meet Harper, she inspired our team in many ways,” recalled Haadsma. “It’s easy to get caught up in the time commitment that comes with playing a sport in college. We went to practice, went to class, and then back to practice. Harper’s presence in our program, in many ways, changed our culture of what it means to show up, get to work, handle adversity, and love the people around you.”
Haadsma and Tatar were part of two championship teams during their time at Albion. Rings, goals, and accolades still never seemed to stack up with the impact Harper and the Mathis family had on the pair. Even though Haadsma and Tatar graduated in 2022, Harper’s impact has remained with them day in and day out.
“Meeting and working alongside Harper and the Mathis Family will always be one of my fondest memories and favorite experiences,” said Tatar. “Luckily, we were able to create a bond that still keeps us in touch today. It is what playing college athletics is all about and she made me a better person.”
Three individuals, all adding different pieces to the story, fondly look back on an April day in 2022 when the team went to the Mathis house. Shellie is one of those individuals who has as many keen memories as the players do.
“My house looked like I was having a frat party,” joked Shellie
“One time, Harper received some bad news about her situation,” recalled Tatar. “Coach asked the team, ‘What can we do?’ In classic Coach DeCola fashion, the only answer was to pile 40 guys into various vehicles, on a drop of the hat and drive over to Harper’s house and have a pizza party.”
“The one day I vividly remember was when we went to their house to surprise her two years ago and hang out with her for a day,” added senior, Timmy Salinas. “We had giant pizzas at her house, cars were lined up on the road and we played some soccer with her.”
“One thing that stands out to me is when Harper relapsed. When I told Coach the devastating news, he took it pretty hard,” remembered Shellie. “He asked if he could get a few guys to come out to the house would that cheer her up.”
A few guys? As Tatar said, in DeCola fashion it wasn’t going to be just a few guys.
“The next day we had the whole team in my front yard. Hanging out, talking with us, kicking balls around. I had friends driving by asking what was going on. It was so sweet how these guys gave up a Sunday to come and hangout with Harper and us,” added Shellie.
“Hanging out with her and her family is something that stuck with me and I hope we can do it again,” said Salinas.
Haadsma especially credits Harper with how strong and incredible of an individual she is, and at such a young age. No matter what was going on with her, she still made the team – and continues to do so – part of her routine.
“Harper would still take time to talk with 35 college guys and give us an honest update on her situation – that takes a lot of courage in itself,” said Haadsma. “She became a part of our team, and she’s now officially on our roster.”
Graduating Tatar and Haadsma never meant the connection the team had with Harper would be lost. Instead, the duo was a model example for the underclassmen, as Salinas has stepped up in leading the team calls with Harper. Learning from Haadsma and Tatar, Salinas tries to do what they did in conversations with Harper.
“I try to ask questions and get to know her more,” said Salinas. “They did really well to get to know her and the rest of the family, so I try to connect as much as I can with all of them. It shows everyone on this team cares about her and her family.”
The connection with the Mathis family grows stronger with every interaction. No matter the circumstance, a visit with Harper – in-person or virtual – is always highly appreciated by the team.
“It always brings a smile to my face when I see her at the games,” said Salinas. “Even if we lost or if it was a tough game, it’s always such a joy to see Harper. It brightens my day to know she’s there supporting us.”
One of those days – February 26, 2022 – Harper surprised the team by showing up to their pre-game before a contest against Oberlin College. Harper read an incredible speech to the guys and made a sign for them reading “Life is Better When we Stick Together.” She joined Tatar on the field for the coin toss and watched her Brits claim a 21-12 victory over the Yeomen. The team erupted with cheers and excitement, finally getting an in-person meeting with their hero.
Even last summer, graduated for two years, Tatar recalls when he met up with the Mathis family – completely by chance – at the Morgan Wallen concert.
“I went up to grab a bite to eat, and heard someone shout ‘Joey!,'” said Tatar. “I turned and it was Justin and Shellie, her parents.” They called Harper up, and seeing those smiling faces and catching up was amazing. I didn’t even care about the concert anymore. That is the effect the Mathis family can have on you – they are truly amazing people.”
Haadsma, a four year captain during his tenure on the team, was a senior speaker with Tatar at Albion’s 2022 Student-Athlete awards. He and Tatar’s speech was about Harper, her impact and inspiration, and how everyone can take a piece from her story and apply it to their lives. He goes on to sum up what Harper has done for the team.
“The #9 – Harper’s soccer jersey number – became a pivotal piece to Albion lacrosse, embodying what it means to be committed, determined, and disciplined. It’s easy to say those things, but it’s increasingly hard to measure if you’re doing those things on a daily basis. Harper taught us that committing to something is so much more than just saying you’re committed to something,” wrote Haadsma.
Playing a collegiate sport is something that can set one up for relationships that last a lifetime. When one thinks about the countless days with coaches and teammates, the men’s lacrosse program also puts Harper right at the center of those relationships.
“It’s a reminder that life is fragile and, increasingly, it’s a reminder how important the people around you are. Even when I don’t hear from Harper, there’s not a day that goes by that all of us don’t think about her,” said Haadsma.
Tatar has the photo of Harper joining him for the coin toss that February game framed on his desk. In return, Shellie is exceptionally grateful for the team and what they have provided Harper.
“These young men have been good listeners. They may not fully understand Harper’s situation, but they give us an extra layer of support. They joke around with us, ask questions, engage over chat and just show support. We try to make it to a few games a year to show them how much we appreciate them back,” said Shellie.
In the 2022 MIAA Championship game and at both NCAA tournament games, DeCola sported a “Harper Strong” t-shirt on the sidelines. Prior to the 2024 season, the team took their annual media day photos, proudly wearing purple shirts with the number 9 on them. On a day where photos will be featured all over the internet, all men’s lacrosse game day and player of the week graphics have one common denominator – Harper.
The Albion men’s lacrosse team preaches selflessness and embodies a culture curated by a ‘we before me’ mentality. From culminations of huddles to printed-on team-issued gear, “Team First” is a motto the men’s lacrosse team uses daily.
Harper is part of that team. Always.