East Islip Family To Honor Son's Legacy In Lacrosse Tournament

EAST ISLIP, NY — A family's tradition 0f honoring their beloved boy will soon be returning to East Islip.

The 11th Annual Christian Koehler Lacrosse Tournament is to take place on Saturday, May 7 at 8 a.m. in Heckscher State Park, for children in grades 2 through 8.

According to his family members, Christian Koehler, an East Islip resident, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor at the age of nine. After a long and courageous battle, he passed away on May 29, 2009.

Since then, family and friends created the Christian Koehler Foundation, which assists local families who have been affected by pediatric cancer.

The foundation has also since hosted the lacrosse tournament, with all proceeds going toward the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation and The Children's Brain Tumor Project.

Participation fees are $650 per team for grades 2 and 3, and $900 per team for grades 4 through 8.

Registration to enter ends on April 9.

Due to the pandemic, the event was last held in person in 2019.

To learn more about the tournament, click here.