Ohio Lacrosse Tragedy: 16-Year-Old Dylan Veselic Dies After Game Injury

Tragedy struck the lacrosse field this week as 16-year-old Dylan Veselic, a sophomore at Bay Village High School in Ohio, passed away after a devastating injury during a game. The young athlete was struck in the head by a ball, a freak accident that occurred beneath his helmet. Despite undergoing surgery, Dylan couldn’t pull through, leaving his family, team, and community in mourning.

A leader on and off the field, Dylan was a varsity captain in just his second season, having played 25 games since his freshman year. Bay Village Schools Superintendent Scot Prebles called him a dedicated student and athlete, while athletic director Matt Spellman remembered Dylan’s infectious smile and leadership. The outpouring of support has been immense—over $80,000 raised through a fundraiser, far surpassing its modest $500 goal. Community members have left lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, and soccer balls on their lawns as a heartfelt tribute.

But this loss raises a haunting question: are we doing enough to protect our young athletes? As someone who’s covered sports for years, I’ve seen the passion in these games, but also the risks. Schools are offering counseling, and the team canceled a game for a prayer service, with their next match set for Tuesday. The Veselic family has asked for continued thoughts and prayers during this heartbreaking time.