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Post by The Dude on Nov 10, 2005 20:02:03 GMT -5
Just a note John Westfall the former LU Men's Lacrosse Coach that was with the Team in the accident in Alabama will have Brain Surgery related to the accident at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday Nov. 17, 2005.
Good Luck Coach!
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Post by Sly Fox on Nov 10, 2005 20:40:13 GMT -5
Our prayers are with thelaxman. Coach Westfall's presence on this board has endeared him to The Firehouse.
Thanks for the heads up, The Dude. Now go ahead and register.
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Post by Winthrop Fan on Nov 13, 2005 23:19:30 GMT -5
Yeah, I have met that guy before. Westfall was the one who started the Lacrosse Team at Winthrop in 99 or 2000. Since you guys stole him away the Lax Team at Winthrop has never been the same. Since 2003 our Lax Team has only won 2 games. I believe they beat Alabama 8-7 in 2004 and last year beat Western Carolina 10-2 and the rest of the time we have lost. I'm not sure why Westfall would coach at a place like Liberty that has so many dumb rules and is more like a concentration camp. But I do know he was one hell of a Coach. I wish Coach Westfall well and will pass this along to some of the guys on the Winthrop Lax Team. www.birdnest.org/lax/. Eagles Rock, and will beat Liberty in the ground come Hoop season. The Big South Championship will stay in Eagle land. In fact if we had a Football team in the Big South we would still beat Liberty into the ground. Your Football team sucks! Go Eagles! Winthrop Fan |
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Post by What on Nov 13, 2005 23:42:07 GMT -5
Yeah, I have met that guy before. Westfall was the one who started the Lacrosse Team at Winthrop in 99 or 2000. Since you guys stole him away the Lax Team at Winthrop has never been the same. Since 2003 our Lax Team has only won 2 games. I believe they beat Alabama 8-7 in 2004 and last year beat Western Carolina 10-2 and the rest of the time we have lost. I'm not sure why Westfall would coach at a place like Liberty that has so many dumb rules and is more like a concentration camp. But I do know he was one hell of a Coach. I wish Coach Westfall well and will pass this along to some of the guys on the Winthrop Lax Team. www.birdnest.org/lax/. Eagles Rock, and will beat Liberty in the ground come Hoop season. The Big South Championship will stay in Eagle land. In fact if we had a Football team in the Big South we would still beat Liberty into the ground. Your Football team sucks! Go Eagles! Winthrop Fan Concentration camp? You are comparing Liberty to Nazi Germany? I believe he came here BECAUSE of the structure and beliefs of the university. As far as Winthrop... I guess I'm surprised too, I can't imagine why he would want to leave a place where people compare Christians to genocidal mass murderers who hate an entire race of people. Sounds like a great place. As far as Athletics... win a Commissioner's Cup and then you can start talking big. |
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Post by thelaxman on Nov 14, 2005 10:24:47 GMT -5
What the heck is this? Winthrop fan does not represent the attitude at Winthrop University. Let's be civil and mature on this board and please don't involve me with your rude comments.
I just want to thank the LU community for all your support. You can get info from Presbyterian Hospital on the Thursday if you like on the outcome of the Surgery.
Also thank you for all your prayers. My overall health is improving and I'm looking forward to going home and Coaching at the University of New Mexico in the future.
All the best,
Thelaxman
Romans 8:31
PS. Winthrop Fan, I went to LU to Coach because I played for LU 20 years ago and I'm an Alumni. LU has nothing to do with concentration camps or Nazi Germany. Also you may want to R-E-G-I-S-T-E-R.
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Post by Sly Fox on Nov 14, 2005 10:59:52 GMT -5
We'll be prating for you, Coach. Please get us a report as soon as possible after the surgery.
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Post by thelaxman on Nov 14, 2005 11:32:54 GMT -5
Thanks Sly Fox,
when I'm up to it I will come on the board and give an update. The info number at Pres. Hospital in Charlotte, NC is (704)384-4000. If I'm able to talk Thursday night or Friday any of you guys are welcome to call and they will direct you to my room phone.
All the best,
Thelaxman
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Post by bigsmooth on Nov 14, 2005 12:34:15 GMT -5
hey winthrop fan, you are spineless! this post is for prayer for our former coach for a serious situation. my prayers are with you coach westfall. as far as your comments about LU and our athletics program, other than your hoops team, what else do you bring to the table? yes you have done well in baseball and volleyball, and so have we, and how many sasser cups have you won? and then a football comment?? we all know we are having a bad year, but you have no clue! register and get some cred!
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Post by PAmedic on Nov 14, 2005 14:58:19 GMT -5
COACH- Thoughts/prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery from your procedure. I would be shocked if the hospital gave out info on your medical condition though- that would be a MAJOR violation of HIPAA (federal medical confidentiality act) - punishable by fines and license suspensions. Hope to speak with you though if that would be possible! Take care.
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Post by thelaxman on Nov 14, 2005 23:35:55 GMT -5
Hey PaMedic:
Yes, you can get information on me at that info number at the Hospital and get directed to my room. You just need to say that you are a friend of mine. I have signed off on paperwork allowing the Hospital to give out information to Friends and Family. If you have a problem you can ask to speak with me but most of the day on Thursday I most likely wont be able to talk. So you may need to wait till Friday or Thursday evening. My Wife Lisa will have the Cell phone and all you Guys are welcome to call her at (803)448-0619. I just ask that you be respectful of her because this stuff has been very hard on her. She should be able to update you.
Thanks so much for all your prayers and I look forward in hearing from you guys.
God Bless,
Thelaxman
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Post by PAmedic on Nov 15, 2005 0:27:05 GMT -5
Even I can tone it down Coach- don't worry. Any contact will be professional- again, will be thinking of ya!
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Post by thelaxman on Nov 21, 2005 23:01:00 GMT -5
To all:
I got home from the Hospital late Saturday afternoon. They let me go home early because I have been doing better then expected. With so many friends and Family all over the country and even a few strangers that have been praying for my Family since the accident in March how could I go wrong. God was on my side in that surgery and I came through it better then any of us could have imagined. It was because of prayer by so many folks that have been there and have been a source of support for Lisa and I and it is no accident that I'm up and around and may even start driving in a few days. Doctor's have warned me not to do too much too fast and I will adhere to that advice but it is nothing like having your health and feeling good. The dizziness is gone and the headaches are gone. My head of curse is sore where the incisions were made but that is to be expected. It does not compare to being dizzy and sea sick all day long and I have not been to sea since I was a little boy crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay with my Grandfather.
Most of all you guys know about the power of God and know that from Lisa and my testimony but for some of you I hope you understand the power of prayer and what can be achieved through prayer. It would be easy for me to be bitter after the accident with my health issues toward the people who caused the accident and what happened to my Sons. It would have been easy to have been
angry at God or felt sorry for myself. It would be easy to be angry at the sport of Lacrosse and decide never to coach again. It took my faith and the prayers of all my Friends and Family to overcome this ordeal.This surgery may have been the hardest thing I have ever went through but through the faith I have in God and my Christian walk along with the prayers of all of you it was a walk in the park.
We still have some Mountains to climb to get home after the first of the year and to make a full recovery. But I know that it will all be ok because I have the Network as they put it in that Cell Phone Commercial praying for us and the outcomes will have a successful ending.
There were several letters that were sent right before the surgery that really meant a lot. One was from Bill Kendall. Bill wrote me and spoke about our friendship and how we had been through so much in organizing Lacrosse programs in the Carolinas and managed a Conference and have over the years exchanged Coaching tips. In January 2003 we were in Baltimore for the Lacrosse National Coaches Convention and we went to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Prayer Breakfast to hear former Baltimore Colt Players Raymond Berry and Lenny Moore give their Christian Testimony. We also got to meet the newly elected Governor of Maryland at the time. At the end of the meeting I asked Bill if he wanted to accept Christ as his Savor and he and I both prayed. Bill shared with me how that Fellowship of Christian Athletes Prayer Breakfast changed his life and how special our friendship is. That letter and several others brought tears to my eyes and I got very emotional before the surgery about that kind of stuff and what great people God has brought into my Life and the relationships I have with so many in the Lacrosse community and our friends and Family across the country. I hope I did not embarrass Bill too much but his letter was an inspiration to me.
Another thing I very much wanted to share with everyone was that my Pastor Mike Lowery from Westend Baptist Church in Rock Hill,SC was a little late right before the surgery and they had already gave me some anesthesia. I was beginning to fall asleep for the surgery when Pastor Mike came in the room to pray with us and they were able to wake me up before I got into a deep sleep. We then all prayed but all I know is I was praying and then was out so even under anesthesia I was in a prayerful mindset. I just believe God honored that.
Again thank you from the bottom of my heart and the reward for me is getting my health back. I look forward in going back to New Mexico and being with my Family more and pursing some new interests career wise. I also plan to get back on the Lacrosse Coaches sideline. On the Lacrosse side I'm real excited about helping to form a youth Lacrosse program in New Mexico. I also am hoping to help out with putting together a high School Lacrosse League for Albuquerque. Along with involvement with the University of New Mexico Lacrosse program and to get it up to speed. I'm excited about my Son Jackson having a Lacrosse venue to play at. Jackson at 8 years old has some real talent for Lacrosse and we plan to send him back up to BYU Lacrosse Camp this summer in Utah where I have served on staff. Jeremiah has more interest in Baseball but it will be a lot of fun just helping both of them develop in their sports they have interest in.
Thanks again for all your prayers. You made the difference in the surgery on Thursday, I'm indebted to all of you.
TheLaxman
Romans 8:31
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Post by Sly Fox on Nov 21, 2005 23:47:08 GMT -5
That's fantastic news, laxman. We've been praying plenty for you through the surgery and now into the recovery. Don't try to be a superman ... just follow the doctor's orders until you get your strength.
Now about that BYU camp, do they know where you went to school? ;D
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Post by PAmedic on Nov 21, 2005 23:53:35 GMT -5
Very happy to hear the good news coach! best of luck w/ your rehab, and I hope your wife won't mind if we dial you up to check in (after you have a little time to recover here).
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Post by thelaxman on Nov 22, 2005 1:29:32 GMT -5
On the BYU Lax Camp. Jason Lamb the Head Coach at BYU and I are best friends and I get invited to Coach there every summer. We take the family to Provo and the University pays the bill. It is always a great time for us to vacation in Utah but most of the time it is more fun for my Wife and kids then myself. Running a sports Camp is a lot of work.
Yes, I am the only Christian on staff but God uses me there as a testimony. Also my Sons went in 2004 for free because I was on staff so it is a good deal and a great camp for them to go too. Just we don't hang around for the Religious stuff with the Mormon faith. If you know anything about the Mountain West Conference you would know that New Mexico and BYU are arch rivals like Auburn and Alabama are in the SEC so Jason and I have coached in some intense games in the past between the two schools. I look forward in returning back home to the U of New Mexico.
All the best,
Thelaxman
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Post by WinthropEagleFan on Nov 22, 2005 9:35:12 GMT -5
Glad to hear that everything has gone well so far coach. Good luck with your recovery.
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Post by thesportscritic on Nov 22, 2005 10:22:33 GMT -5
That is great news and God did deliver you out of that situation and to him be the glory. Take care and regain your strength one step at a time. God bless
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Post by ATrain on Nov 22, 2005 21:22:42 GMT -5
May God give you a speedy recovery coach
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Post by bigsmooth on Nov 23, 2005 10:56:02 GMT -5
great to hear from you coach! im glad you are doing well, and my continued prayers to you and your family as the recovery process continues.
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Post by The Dude on Dec 11, 2005 21:29:17 GMT -5
[*** The e-mail posted here was personal and not meant for public consumption. So we have pulled it down from the site. If Laxman wants to publish it here, that is his prerogative. - Sly Fox ***]
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Post by PAmedic on Dec 11, 2005 21:45:36 GMT -5
Not to speak for him, but its pretty obvious that right now Coach is very upset w/ everything LU over what he percieves is a institutional bias against all things lacrosse, and the termination of his good friend and fellow lacrosse-afficianado Larry Hubbard.
I'm sure after the sting wears off he will moderate his anger a bit, but evidently much of the love he had for us is gone for ever. I also think he felt abandoned after that horrible crash w/ the team van.
Serious injuries always carry emotional scars as well as physical, and it takes a while to heal. I am sure Coach Westfall is a fine man and I wish him and his family all the best.
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Post by thelaxman on Dec 11, 2005 22:40:20 GMT -5
Dude:
This letter was a personal E-mail to Philip Johnson and was not meant for the Fire House Messageboard. I do not say anything negative about Liberty in this letter just that Mettalo and I have a difference of opinion on strategy and that is OK.
Listen all of you, I can't get into all of this on a messageboard but my Family really has been to hell and back from the accident and I have had to deal with a great deal of physical and health issues that are related to the accident in Alabama. But that does not mean that I dislike Liberty University or I some how have changed my feelings for the Institution I graduated from.
Twenty years ago I had some of the best times in my life as a Lacrosse Player and a Student at Liberty and I also had some great times as a Coach here at Liberty. Most of all God used Liberty as a place for me to grow.
Lastly, on Coach Hubbard. I consider Larry a dear friend and what happened to him with regard to the University disappoints me but I still believe in Liberty University and I'm still a huge fan of Flames Athletics.
Dude, when you live in a small community like Rock Hill, SC everyone in this town is a Winthrop Fan. It is a part of our little section of South Carolina. Please don't make comments questioning my loyalty.
On Coach Mettalo, him and I have disagreements of some stuff. But that is all. There are things I can not discuss on the messageboard with regard to the Lacrosse Team. But overall I'm excited about the direction Flames Athletics is going and I look forward in what can be achieved in all sports for Liberty University as an Alumni. I hope that sets the record strait.
Dude, next time you put a personal E-mail I sent to someone else on the Firehouse Messageboard. Please get my consent first.
Also just want to thank everyone for praying for me. I'm slowly but surely getting my health back.
God Bless,
Thelaxman
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Post by PAmedic on Dec 12, 2005 7:43:12 GMT -5
Coach- we appreciate your honesty. Some of the most difficult things to take can be change you don't agree with, to an institution you care deeply for. I can empathize with that. Thanks for posting here and Godspeed your recovery.
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Post by thelaxman on Dec 12, 2005 14:19:31 GMT -5
Thanks.
Thelaxman
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Post by realist on Dec 12, 2005 15:29:23 GMT -5
Haha, I used to live with Easter and TJ in the house that is no longer there next to the elementary school. TJ is in Washington now. Haven't talked to Easter lately but he is still in Rock Hill I think, along with Collins. Saw collins just the other night.
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Post by baldspot on Dec 12, 2005 18:47:24 GMT -5
Please keep us posted on your recovery. We'll be praying for you and your family.
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Post by thelaxman on Dec 12, 2005 19:25:09 GMT -5
Baldspot:
Thank you for praying for my Family. God has really taught me a lot about Prayer and Grace since the accident in Alabama.
Realist:
Rob Easter is one of the best Athletes I have ever Coached. He is my kind of Guy on the Lacrosse Field. He never played Lacrosse in High School but you would have never known it on the field. Please let Rob know I said Hi. I'm in touch with TJ and like Rob TJ never played in High School either and I taught him the game also. TJ sure could kick some butt on the Lacrosse field. When I got some time and I feel up to it I'm going up to Seattle to visit TJ this summer. Both Rob and TJ became great Players and are self taught. You would have never known they did not play High School Lacrosse by watching them play.
Realist, you have to answer this question was that old Kappa Sig House really haunted? Jimmy Kate used to tell me that the Ghost would come up and down the stairs in the middle of the night. One of the Guys from the Fraternity told me that it was some Civil War Ghost. But anyway coaching a Lacrosse team with so many Kappa Sig members on the team I have heard enough Ghost stories from that old House to last a life time.
Tell Collins and Phil Johnson and all the others I wish them well. But no matter what I will always be a Liberty Fan first!
Thelaxman
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Post by realist on Dec 12, 2005 20:13:58 GMT -5
Haha, the old house ghost. I have to tell you, I lived there for a year, and I don't believe in ghosts, or at least I told myself I didn't, until I lived there. My story: I was at home alone one day during the summer upstairs. I heard the door open and close, and footsteps up the stairs. Didn't hear anything after asking who was there, went out in enough time to see someone without hearing them go back downstairs. Went back to what I was doing thinking it was just weird. Not uncommon to have people coming in and out of that house, thought a visitor just walked in saw no one, left.
Happened again about 5 minutes later and I went out quickly. Still nothing.
Radios would come on and off all the time. Tv's would come on by themselves (most of this I chalked up to faulty wiring in that old house.)
I'll tell you though, everyone swears by it that lived there. Just too many random things that happened with no explanation.
I miss that house even with the ghost. He was sort of mean and liked to mess with you, but you never felt threatened. And I guarantee you every guy who told you those stories was telling you the truth.
Not sure on the civil war thing. It's been awhile, but I thought the house had a history of a murder, some outlaw lived there or something like that.
Don't make it to Rock Hill much, but I'll let them know when I see them you said hi. I know I'll see phil, collins, and vinnie, among others.
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Post by The Dude on Dec 13, 2005 1:50:13 GMT -5
Coach Westfall:
This is not the Winthrop Science Fiction Board. I'm sorry about the letter off the Winthrop Lacrosse Board. I'm glad you are doing better. Best of luck with the University of New Mexico Lobos. I know you will do a great job. The Lacrosse team at Liberty will miss you. Your reputation for being such a personal Coach even pulls in people from others Schools on the Liberty Sports Board discussing Ghosts and Haunted Houses in South Carolina.
Good Luck,
The Dude
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