By John Brice
Special Contributor
Student-athletes around Notre Dame’s idyllic campus begin to delve into various Name, Image and Likeness opportunities, but Notre Dame’s record-smashing, senior All-America lacrosse star maintained a methodical approach.
Then a pair of Kavanagh’s passions dovetailed and a former Fighting Irish standout lacrosse captain helped float the venture.
Eamon McAnaney, who three years in his playing career for the Golden Domers served as team captain, talked to the Friend of Notre Dame non-profit prior to the 2023 season about the potential to partner Kavanagh with CityLax, a non-profit that’s growing lacrosse in New York City Public Schools.
Immediately, Kavanagh knew he had found his first foray into NIL. For every ground ball that Kavanagh secured this season, he would donate $10 to a CityLax GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/f/ground-balls-with-pkav) that was launched to help introduce a middle school lacrosse program in the Bronx.
“I hadn’t done anything with Name, Image and Likeness up until that point, and I was just waiting for an opportunity that felt natural to me,” said Kavanagh, again a Tewaaraton Award finalist for the sport’s top honor among collegiate lacrosse players. “This aligned with my values and what I stand for.”
Growing up in a family full of athletes and the third Kavanagh to play collegiate lacrosse, he was especially struck by the opportunity to work directly with a venture that would grow the game among youth – especially a sport that can present a considerable financial commitment.
“I’m from Long Island, and I just thought it made perfect sense,” Kavanagh, who enters Championship Weekend with 36 ground balls, said. “Initially when I accepted the partnership, I thought I could do more. I thought of that initiative and thought of donating my own money for every single ground ball. Then it got a lot of support from Notre Dame alumni; it’s been a great opportunity and partnership so far.
“A lot of NIL opportunities out there involve posting on social media, and I’m not really that kind of guy. I wanted to find an opportunity that I could be passionate about and also be something I’d be comfortable posting about on social media to help promote. This is a chance to give back to my community, help spread the game of lacrosse and just overall help grow the game.”
Kavanagh’s partnership with CityLax for this venture coincides with Notre Dame’s lacrosse program continuing to soar on a national level; Kavanagh, a multi-time All-American, is shattering numerous Irish program records and the team is amidst another of its now-signature NCAA postseason runs, as the Irish are headed to the Final Four in Philadelphia following their win over Johns Hopkins.
The Game. The Goal. The Celly.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/3OYi2xphDw
— Notre Dame Lacrosse (@NDlacrosse) March 5, 2023
Kavanagh’s focus remains Notre Dame – the team, the Irish family and the ongoing opportunity to give back.
Coupled with Kavanagh’s own contributions from his ground ball initiatives, as well as those from others such as McAnaney, a New York sports personality who’s also serving as CityLax CEO, the drive has already raised almost $5,000 for the program – and it’s still growing.
“It’s been great seeing all the positive feedback, seeing some pretty well known and accomplished Notre Dame alumni Tweeting about it, like Tom Mendoza and Brady Quinn and a bunch of other notable alumni.
“It’s really cool to see them recognize it, and it’s an honor for me, but also it’s a great opportunity to come together and help CityLax as well as trying to give them a role model and someone to look up to.”
Kavanagh and the Irish will play Virginia in the NCAA Championship semifinal at Lincoln Financial Field at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 27.