Will Barrow, just 22 years old, was a member of the 2006 Virginia national championship team and recently drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Machine, a Major League Lacrosse team that Barrow scored three goals for in just five games.
Spending time in Charlottesville while finishing up his degree, Barrow was found dead in what most are calling a shocker.
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.Barrow was a defensive-minded player with some offensive flair, ranked second in the nation for defensive-midfielders and 48th in all categories. He was a high school star, coming out of Baldwin Senior High School both a lacrosse star and a football standout at receiver.
"The whole thing is stunning and completely bewildering," Starsia said. "We're just trying to sort this out. He was one of the team favorites. He was one of the really good guys to be around."
Not a ton of news has come out about his death, but Newsday is reporting that the death was a suicide.
The news about the death, an apparent suicide, stunned the well-connected lacrosse community on Long Island, who saw Barrow's rise to prominence. Barrow was instrumental in encouraging participation in lacrosse in Baldwin, especially among African-Americans, a major effort of coach Rich Garguilo.Barrow is survived by his parents, Rita and George Barrow. It appears the lacrosse world lost a good one this weekend.
Update -- If you knew Barrow and were interested in funeral arrangements, click here.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
11-24-2008 @ 2:46PM
sansjrs said...
My condolences to the family of Mr. Barrow. Although I did not know this extraordinary young man, I am sorry that the world has lost such a promising young person. RIP Mr. Barrow.
Psalms 145:8-9
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11-24-2008 @ 4:38PM
sisaphrol said...
My heart and prayers goes out, to the Barrows family may you all find comfort and peace in our Lord&Saviour; Jesus Christ. And the love and care of family and friends.
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11-24-2008 @ 5:28PM
George said...
Thats not cool...I Knew Will and know the surrounding circumstances and how he died and it was by strangulation. We are shocked and devasted by this news. He was an awesome person...Pure Tragedy.
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11-24-2008 @ 8:12PM
mike said...
God bless you and and your parents. your suffering is over, your surely with jesus. the lacrosse world will will remember and pray for you.
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11-24-2008 @ 9:47PM
Dawn said...
you can take my comment down as well now. Thanks.
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11-25-2008 @ 6:55AM
KENNA said...
The world has been robbed of a great tallant.
So sorry for your lose Barrow family R.I.P. Will
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11-25-2008 @ 1:33PM
Lea said...
Whats going on with the world today? Whats with all these suicides that I hear everday in the news? Whats wrong with the people today? It's a terrible thing to give life up!
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11-26-2008 @ 12:36PM
Rich said...
Depression is a real disease. No one really knows what triggers it, but it is real. Everyone gets depressed at times, some more than others. However, for some, they lose sight of the fact that tomorrow is a new day and that things at least have the potential of getting better.
I know many people who have dealt with severe depression, including myself, after my wife passed away. While I hit the booze for a while and didn't care if I lived to see the next day or not, I certainly never thought about taking my own life. That is the difference between those who are capable of dealing with depression and those who are not.
It's a shame there is no test to diagnose those who may fall victim to severe depression. For those who are aware of their condition, there are medications that are available and effective, although they should not be used as a permanent fix except in the most serious cases. For most, these meds can help them get past the bad times, and along with counseling, learn to deal with their depression in a positive way.
11-28-2008 @ 4:52PM
EarthAngel said...
Lea, comment #7. In answer to "what's going on in the world today?" Doctors/psychiastrists are way over prescribing, not just one medication, but in some cases numerous medications that are having a deadly effect on the human brain.
I have heard by way of tv and the internet that a lot of doctors get nice big fat checks (kick backs) from the medications they are prescribing from the companies that are manufacturing this crap. A lot of people think doctors are gods and will do and take whatever they are told by their doctor. WAKE UP!!! Look at the rash of suicides going on with prescribed medications now. Let me add, I know there are good doctors that exist.
Prescribed medication may not be the case with Will, but my heart does feel for him the pain he was obviously suffering.
11-25-2008 @ 5:00PM
Barrow Family said...
Go to : http://williambarrow.blogspot.com/
for funeral arrangements.
Thanks
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11-25-2008 @ 11:56PM
simon said...
be nice
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11-26-2008 @ 7:33AM
ROBERT JOHNSON said...
So very sad that a young person with so much life ahead felt like he had to take such desperate measures.
Hope he finds more peace now.
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11-26-2008 @ 7:56AM
Rosalie said...
Sorry for your lost my husband and sons are in to sports i have one son that plays football and baseball i dont know what i would if i lost him may the lord be with the family,god bless you all
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11-26-2008 @ 8:23AM
vince said...
Thoughts and prayers to the barrows family seemed like a good guy. I do have one question, if you do not know the cause of death, how can you rule it suicide?
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11-26-2008 @ 8:32AM
tom said...
22 years old. What a sad thing. RIP young brother!!
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11-26-2008 @ 8:31AM
Debbie said...
IF it was suicide...how terrible for the parents!! THEY have to live with this for the rest of their life! He doesnt. If you think about it. Its torture for years for his parents, who raised him, loved him, and this is what they deserve??? No, it not! My prayers to his parents...
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11-26-2008 @ 9:34AM
CrushDs5 said...
You are the ignorant one Mark. A promising young man for some reason seems to have lost faith, and that is the saddest part. He excelled at one of the top programs and universities in the country, so do not criticize him for issues you have no idea about that he was obviously struggling with.
And unless you are a professional athlete don't criticize or compare lacrosse with badmitton I doubt you could hack it.
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11-26-2008 @ 8:50AM
morto said...
obviously you have never seen or played this exciting game so don't you dare put it down
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11-26-2008 @ 8:50AM
m said...
as a parent of another nationally ranked Lacrosse player my thoughts and prayers go out to the family no matter what the outcome of the reports. stay strong
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11-26-2008 @ 8:57AM
pete said...
You are one of those idiots that probably think sitting on you fat butt playing poker is a sport
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