Justin Scott Langham
In memory of Justin Scott Langham
(02/06/1983 - 26/04/2004)
This page is dedicated to Justin Langham, our good friend and teammate.
"You will always be in our thoughts and in our hearts. We will never forget you."
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(If anyone wants to have pictures or words posted on this page, please e-mail them to: club.captain@glasgowunilacrosse.com)
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To Justin, from your friends...
To all of Justin's friends and teammates:
Justin's parents, Steve and Kay, have very kindly extended their invitation for any and all to come stay with them any time in the USA. They are at:
4999 Kahala Ave, #251
Honolulu HI 98716
The Glasgow University lacrosse team wishes to thank Steve and Kay for their generous offer.
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In Memoriam, Johnny Bravo
Thursday, July 15, 2004
The morning of Saturday, July 10 was a gift - warm, sunny, with a soft northwest breeze to cut the humidity. The packed, standing-room-only crowd at the Second Congregational Church was reminded - as if they needed to be - of a second gift, the 21 years of Justin Scott Langham's life and the times each had shared with him.
For a few of us, those memories drifted back to the spring of 2001, Justin's senior year at Cohasset High School, the season he was nicknamed after the cartoon superhero - and in some sense became - Johnny Bravo. Justin was finishing his high-school career as a three-sport athlete. He'd excelled at wrestling, where his small stature, light weight and remarkable strength made him nearly invincible, and at football, where his physical stature was a constant challenge. In both sports, he'd been made captain as senior. But, as a junior, he'd suffered a serious knee injury on the gridiron, and missed both the winter and spring seasons as a result. For his third sport, lacrosse, this was a significant setback.
As a sophomore on a team that finished under .500, Justin had been an energetic, if somewhat unskilled, midfielder. The next season, without him, the Skippers again missed the state lax tournament. The old coach left; a new coach - Kevin Orcutt - arrived. Prospects didn't seem particularly good, especially on defense, where only one starter was coming back. Justin - who'd been playing indoors all the previous winter - decided he'd switch to longpole, and try to shore that position up.
To be a lacrosse player the last two weeks of March, when the season starts, is to be cold, wet, uncomfortable, sore and tired - all at once. In the spring of 2001, despite a knee brace large enough for Shaquille O'Neill, Justin grinned and smiled through gray day after gray day. "Want to know how to run that drill?" coach Orcutt would ask rhetorically, "check out Johnny Bravo."
In the first week of April, Orcutt made an unusual decision. He named Justin as captain. "Don't get me wrong," the coach said. "We've got three excellent captains. But everyone - even the seniors - watches Johnny Bravo to see how things are done."
Except for his nine days of community service in Appalachia, Justin started every game, and played for as long and as hard as his damaged leg would allow. Nine games into the season, the Skippers had clinched a berth in the tournament with an 8-1 record; Justin had yet to cover an opponent he matched up with in size. In fact, he led the team in penalties, trying to compensate. But his will to win, his mental toughness overwhelmed them.
There's a photo from that season that I can picture today - an opposing player lying sprawled on the turf, Justin hurdling over the body, cradling the ball, looking downfield, never looking back. The Skippers carried their success into the playoffs, knocking off - in succession - Ashland, Catholic Memorial, and defending state champ Milton. Then, on a hot, muggy day in Ipswich at the state semi-finals, it appeared the streak was ending. Down six goals with eight minutes left, Cohasset scored four in a row to pull within two.But Ipswich won the faceoff, and could run out the clock. Justin wouldn't let that happen. He somehow knocked the ball loose, and got it to classmate Lane Forrer. Cohasset scored with 49 seconds left, and again with 32 ticks on the clock, then won in the fourth sudden-death overtime. Many feel it's the greatest game in the history of the Cohasset program. That might be debatable, but no one would argue that it had been the season that turned the program around.
And that's why some of us, when we're asked to reflect on Justin Scott Langham, think back to the spring of 2001, and the season when Johnny Bravo taught all of us a lesson about heart, will and being a role model.
- Terry Kahn
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Hey Juice,
It's been a real pleasure to get to know you this year. You made playing lacrosse a great experience and helped us be better than ever before. Even though you were a great lacrosse player, you were an even better friend. I always looked forward to hanging out with you and sharing many laughs, especially at the GUSA Ball ("get yer tits out!!!"). Thinking back to all the good times we had on and off the field always makes me smile and laugh. It is very difficult to express in words how much you meant to all of us, but I want you to know that I miss you and I will never forget you.
-Tim
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Justin's presence made Lacrosse that little bit more fun to play. Showing up for all our games drunk because it made him "play best", puffing his lower lip out to a gurn with that tobacco, or generally throwing Stefan around the pub after he had enquired about the ins and outs of wrestling!
Aside from the fun he was an amazing player, I had the utmost respect for him. He knew exactly what to do and when to do it. His charges from D with Andy were very memorable, and his behind the backs and cheeky passes were great to watch. He will be deeply missed and is irreplaceable.
Justin, You were a true friend, both on and off the field, and no words that i can find will ever do you justice. I'm going to miss you, but i won't ever forget you .
-David G.
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It was always a great laugh with you around, both on the pitch and off. You were an invaluable member of our team but more importantly, a dear friend. Sunday hangovers and dip on the bus on our way to some rainy cold Scottish dump with loads of cheeky talk about fat girls and sheep. Still dedicated and always up for the craic though. You will be sorely missed but you remain in my memory forever,
Your friend Tom Markey
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Our connection with Justin revolved around lacrosse and involved activities both on and off the field.
On the field, Justin was a man that you could count on. When we turned over the ball in the other team's end, the midfielders often returned to our defensive side slower than they should have. From the vantage point of a sluggishly returning midfielder, it was truly amazing to watch Justin spoil any attack. No matter how complex a move attempted by the offence, Justin expertly wielded his D-pole and completely stripped them of the ball. You could depend on this, and breathe a sigh of relief as a result. On several occasions, I recall him knocking the crosse right out of the attacker's hands. It then became time to turn and receive one of his precision sidearm breakout passes.
Off the field, no one could keep pace with Justin. You know what I'm talking about. I had some great times sitting around drinking and laughing with Justin and the team at the pubs and on the bus. As he did during games, when we were not playing Justin often exceeded our limits; for instance by ‘clearing the table' at the buffet meal.
The Glasgow lacrosse team consists of people from various cities and countries who share an interest in a particular sport. It is not by fluke that we all met up, rather a coincidence that we were all in the same place. Yet we are lucky that Justin was part of that coincidence. It was an honour to play lacrosse with Justin and a pleasure to know him!
The team would not have been the same without you, Justin!
-Michael Hassell
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Where do I start buddy?
I'll never forget the time you were covering my goals and holding your crotch screaming 'I'm not wearing a cup, I'm not wearing a cup!' You were always willing to take a hit for the team. I can't begin to tell you how much you meant to the squad's cohesion. We could always rely on you and you never once let the team down. Your quick hands and understanding of the game allowed us to the incredible defensive record of no losses on Scottish soil all season. If it was not for you man, this could not have happened. During game time you struck fear into the hearts of attackmen. Remember when we 'cleared' the goal mouth in Edinburgh? No-one could ask for a more dedicated, tenacious and enthusiastic player. You were the heart of the team.
You embraced life and really lived each day (and night) to its full extent. I often wonder what you would actually play like had you not been hungover?! Your sore head must have made you mad... oh, I get it!
You would never impose yourself on others and were one of the most selfless people I had ever met. Never downhearted or dour-faced, your eternal optimism and ability to shrug shit off made you a pleasure to be around. I'm sure that even that crazy girl in Curlers would have agreed.
On the pitch I felt a real bond with you. I wish we could have had just one more game together to make it 'Rain For Glasgow' again.
Off the pitch I will always remember the last time I was with you after a game making wind chimes out of beer cans. You were a surprisingly powerful and agile wee wrestler an' all... as I found to my expense.
Things you taught me:
No problem' means no problem.
Always mark your hit.
If you throw up during game time, grit your teeth and swallow.
Wear a cup.
Don't wrestle a wrestler (or ask for a demonstration).
Enjoy your life, and live it to the fullest.
Don't get down about stuff that doesn't really matter.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I miss you being around man. Having you gave the team its spirit. Knowing you gave me a new outlook on life.
Stefan.
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To all Family and Friends of Justin Langham:
I would like to take this opportuntiy to express my condolences to the Family and Friends of Justin Langham after I learned the news two weeks ago of his Tragic Passing over in Scotland. I learned of his tragic passing on May 4th when I videotaped a Tuesday Night Lacrosse Game between Cohasset and Marshfield. Before the Tuesday May 4th Game between Cohasset and Marshfield Game got under way Ron Ford the Athletic Director announced the Tragic News of Justin's Passing over the Public Address System and asked everyone in the audience along with the teams on the field to pause for a moment of Silence as the Cohasset Lacrosse team dedicated the game to his memory. I certainly have fond memories of Justin during my 1st year of Videotaping when Justin was playing Football, Wrestling, and Lacrosse(1998, 1999, and 2001 seasons) and he was and outstanding athlete and I also when I attended his Graduation in 2001 I certainly enjoyed hearing his opening address. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his closest friends at this difficult time and I will certainly miss him very much. God Bless You all. I also enjoyed reading Erik Shea's poem about his many experiences he had with Justin.
Sincerely,
Shaun Galvin CHS Alumni Class of 1999
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After hearing of Justin´s tragic death, I didn´t know how to react. The shock was too overwhelming. I sat for a long time trying to replay in my mind images and memories of my personal experiences with him. I kept asking myself over and over, "How will I remember Justin?" Eventually, after thinking about his life and how he lived it, I decided I would write the following - out of respect for him, because I know, without a doubt, that he would do the same, and probably more, for any of us.
When Bourke died six years ago, who was one of the first ones to visit the site of the accident the morning after and lay a bouquet of flowers? Justin. Out of respect for Bourke. Two summers ago, when Paul died, I remember talking to Justin the night before the funeral service, asking him whether he was planning on going or not. I was personally a little uncomfortable about the idea of going, as I hadn´t known Paul that well. But Justin responded, "I know, I know, but we should go, you know, out of respect." This respect and kindness that Justin had for others was incredible. Almost to the point of excessive sometimes. Always volunteering to drive, always insisting on paying, always opening up his house to us, always lending a hand.
Justin was hands down one of the most polite and respectful kids in town. When Justin called my house, my mom never ceased to be amazed by the way that he greeted her on the other end of the line. And when Justin was occasionally forced to apologize to the parents of his friends for certain minor "incidents," he didn´t just make a call or send along a Hallmark card, but rather wrote a long, thoughtful, and well-articulated letter.
In the classroom and beyond it, he was naturally bright. Without ever opening a book, he used to smoke me week in and week out on the SAT practice tests that we took during our weekly review sessions at my house. Somehow, he always seemed to know something about everything - the Russian mafia, the latest technology in Nike footwear, Zen Buddhism, motorcycles, classic rock, the exact measurements of the latest Maxim covergirl, you name it. And for those who struggled to comprehend certain subjects, he always explained things clearly and patiently. As class president, he was able to unite our grade for the Pep Rally and the Senior Prank, both of which would have probably been disasters without him.
But all of us, as his friends, also knew a different Justin. There can be no denying and no doubt that "Chico" was a legend. When we were seniors, he was the king of the social scene and his basement was the palace. Even though space was limited down in that basement and even though we almost always left the cleaning for him, he rarely hesitated to accomodate all of us, and he genuinely enjoyed seeing us enjoying ourselves. His parties and he himself had an aura about them that left all the underclassmen intrigued. I remember my sister saying that a Cohasset High School experience wasn´t complete without at least one "Chico party." When we partied, his exploits were unparalleled by any of us. And we can´t help but smile when we remember all the great stories - waking up on the neighbor´s property, ending up forty minutes north of Boston rather than forty minutes south of Boston on New Year´s Eve, taking the limo back to Puget Sound, working the late-night shift a t the town pool, and making acquaintances with the Cohasset Police officers (a couple of times). This is the Justin that will always make us laugh and that we´ll always love.
Apart from everything, though, the most recurring image I have of Justin is of him standing in front of the counter at Good Sport, having come up to visit Doug and I with John and Marc, laughing about the previous night and making plans for the night ahead. Justin was someone who truly valued his friends and truly enjoyed the time that he spent with them. And more importantly, he truly respected his friends. So I guess what I´m asking all of you is to return that respect and ask yourselves: "How will I remember Justin?" As a tribute to him and as a show of support to his parents, I think it would be nice to collect some memories and stories of Justin to present to his parents. It can be a few lines or a few paragraphs - I think that anything will be appreciated. Naturally, we´ll all remember him differently. But the important thing is THAT we remember him. And, after all that he did for us, out of respect for a friend, we owe him at least that.
Thanks, Erik
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Dear Justin
For a long time now, I've tried to understand why I experienced and expressed the emotions I did when you passed. Truth is, I don't think I ever will.
I could never explain in words what you meant to me, the piece of my life that you fulfilled, or why I miss you so much. All I can say is that a day never goes by in which I don't think about you. You were a friend, a team-mate, and a role model to me many aspects of my life. A fundamental element of a team that in your absence, sorely missed your presence.
But, I think the impact that you had on my life was summed up in a single moment, the moment I shattered into pieces during your fathers speech. That hurt, pain, and uncontrollably huge sense of loss can only be attributed to the great person you were.
I'll miss you always and I have no doubt that your memories will live on. You'll never be forgotten - never.
Neil