Sad News

[John Paul]

I was just imformed that we lost an incredible member of the MCLA family. Richard Schooler, who many of you knew on these boards as Bluevelvet, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Along with Catlax Man, Bluevelvet was an outspoken voice for the MCLA and especially lacrosse in the West, and most especially UCSB lacrosse. He was as passionate about our segment of the game as anyone I've ever met. I first met him when we were recruiting his younger son, and I looked forward to seeing him every time we played UCSB or traveled to the national tournament, where he was sure to be. I could always count on an email or a call when a major MCLA issue came up or our team did something noteworthy. I'll miss him.

Mr. Schooler's two sons, Ben and Nick, were both All-American midfielders at UCSB. Both were intimately involved in that program's rise to national prominence several years ago, and Mr. Schooler was there every step of the way. Heartfelt condolences to Ben and Nick and the rest of the Schooler and UCSB family. Ole, ole, ole.

[Sonny]

RIP Bluevelvet.

Thoughts and prayers with Ben and Nick and the entire Schooler family.

[byualum]

Very sad...my best wishes and prayers to the family.

[onpoint]

I met Mr. Schooler in St. Louis in 2004 and was struck by how gracious and passionate he was about our game and league. Condolences to the Gaucho family.

[Zeuslax]

Condolences to the Schooler's......loved reading what he had to say on here!!!!!!

[DG]

I only had a chance to interact with "Blue" a couple of times. I was struck by how much he cared about his kids, and the teams that they played on.

My condolences go out to the entire Schooler family.

DG

[CATLAX MAN]

The lacrosse community has lost a valuable & treasured member. I spent a lot of time with Richard over the years while we watched UCSB lacrosse and when we were on opposite sides of the sidelines in high school in the always epic battles between SI & Berkeley.

He was passionate about lacrosse and golf, but more passionate about his family. I will miss the many conversations we've had over the years talking about our sons, lacrosse & golf.

Our hearfelt condolences go out to Naneen, Ben & Nick. We will always keep his memory in our thoughts.

[Ravaging Beast]

My dad, Richard, was born February 2, 1944 in Miami, FL. Raised in Elmira, NY and attended the University of Rochester. He played on the lacrosse team there for several months, but was kicked off the team for attending spring break. Lacrosse didn't come back into his life until he got sticks for my brother and me in 1996. From that point on, his life was taken over by lacrosse. He helped start the local Berkeley youth team and was a major influence on the Berkeley High School team. When my brother started playing at UCSB in 1999, he dove into a rapidly growing USLIA. Finding another way to use his law degree, he spent hours developing arguments on these message boards. He has been reading them and following the boards all season, but retired from posting opinions since I graduated.It is great to see that he was well know and loved around the league. He will be missed by all of us.


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[cricketman]

I first met Richard in 1996 when his younger son and my older son went to Towson one summer on an all-star team. As a new lax dad I was a little intimidated by his seemingly encylopaedic knowledge of the game. Never shy with an opinion, he explained the basics to me and I appreciated his passion and humor straight away. Over the years I was to see him at NCJLA youth lacrosse meetings as the Berkeley club rep and when our sons played against each other in High School. Every time we saw each other I was struck by his warmth, his true love of the sport and his wry chuckle. For the last 3 years our son's were teammates at UCSB and once again Richard showed me the ropes about College ball. He was totaly committed to the sport, to his family and to helping out wherever he could.

He was one of those parents that always volunteered, always did the necessary organizing and was always there adding his flowing commentary at every game he could get to. Attending the USLIA championships with Richard was always an extra treat in addition to the lacrosse.

We will miss him dearly both on the board and at the games. Our thoughts and prayers are with Naneen, Ben and Nick.

Here's to you BlueVelvet, a well deserved Ole, Ole, Ole!

[RopeNoRope]

I was wondering why I hadn't seen any BlueVelvet posts. Best wishes to his family and I will miss his insight on these boards.

[laxdad54]

I only had the chance to know Richard for a short time and though I will always remember him for his wit, humor, straightforward opinions, and knowledge of lacrosse. I will most remember the great pride in his voice when talking about his sons Ben and Nick and the love for his family. Our thoughts and prayer are with Naneen, Ben, and Nick. You will be missed BlueVelvet.

[bbandlax]

Over the last several years I have enjoyed bantering with Blue. I knew that if I ever started in with Catlax on the merits of the WCLL vs the RMLC (or BYU vs UCSB) Blue would be close by with a post to back up Catlax (and visa versa). His thoughts on our league and the game were insightful and fun to read (and argue).

Thank you beast for the Bio and the pics. I saw him often at the tourney and the many BYU/UCSB contests.

I have never publicly (or privately) called the Gaucho cheer, but on behalf of all the BYU supporters we join with JP and call one in honor of Mr. Velvet

Ole, Ole, Ole, Gauchos! Gauchos!

Scottie

[laxdad03]

I'll add an "amen" to that -- BlueVelvet will be sorely missed. Our best wishes and condolences to the family, and to the Gauchos.

[Sonny]

RIP Bluevelvet
http://www.collegelax.us/news.php?action=fullnews&id=1197

[Rob Graff]

I add my best wishes and condolences to the Schooler family.