CAMILLUS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The 25th annual John Pepper Memorial lacrosse tournament welcomed over 50 teams from across the country for the largest turnout in the event’s history.
The tournament honors John Pepper, who was one of two West Genesee high school students killed in a car accident in 2001. The first tournament was held shortly after in 2002. 25 years later, the tournament still brings honor to his name.
While also being known as “the Pepper,” the memorial has become a lacrosse staple in Central New York. For one of the tournament’s co-founders, Michael Solamon, still being a part of the tournament has brought him joy.
“When we first started this tournament, we thought maybe two or three years – four or five if we were lucky,” said Solamon. “Now here we are 25 years later, and now the kids from all over the state and all over the country – because we have teams from out of state who are playing – say ‘Are you gonna play in the Pepper tournament?’…It’s a great testament to the name John Pepper.”…