Ex-UVa lacrosse player Barrow dies

By Tasha Kates

Published: November 23, 2008

Former University of Virginia lacrosse player Will Barrow has died.

UVa spokeswoman Carol Wood confirmed Sunday that Barrow died in Charlottesville. His cause of death could not be determined as of press time.

Barrow was 22.

Dom Starsia, head coach of UVa’s men’s lacrosse team, said the team has been spending time together since they heard the news on Saturday.

“The whole thing is stunning and completely bewildering,” Starsia said. “We’re just trying to sort this out.”

Craig Littlepage, UVa’s athletics director, issued a statement on Sunday.

“Will was a valued member of the University of Virginia community and of our athletics department family,” Littlepage said. “His loss is difficult for all who knew him … ”

Starsia said Barrow was three credits shy of graduating, and was living in the area while completing his coursework during a ninth semester this fall. The “excellent high school athlete” and sociology major from Baldwin, N.Y., played for the lacrosse team for four years, ending his last season as team captain.

“He was one of the team favorites,” Starsia said Sunday. “He was one of the really good guys to be around.”

Barrow scored 18 goals and made seven assists during the 63 games he played for UVa as player number 23. Inside Lacrosse magazine recognized him as the second-best defensive midfielder and the nation’s 48th-best player during his senior year.

He was drafted in May by the Chicago Machine, and scored three goals in the five games in which he played.

“It was a treat to watch him play the game,” Starsia said. “He was a terrific player … He played short-stick defensive midfield, and he was clearly one of the best ones through the country.”

Barrow also showed promise as a wide receiver/defensive back in high school, and was being recruited by UVa’s football team and Starsia simultaneously. As a high school student, he also received All-Long Island and all-county honors and was a National Honor Society member.

Barrow is survived by parents, Rita and George Barrow, and younger siblings Trevor and Sabrina.

Starsia said funeral arrangements have not yet been made. UVa’s Offices of Student Affairs and Dean of Students are offering counseling for those who need it.