By Mike Russo
Many who were close to Barrow say that the video captures the spirit of their friend, a determined young man who always found a way to achieve his goals.
Friends and family paid tribute to Barrow at the 22-year-old's funeral last Saturday at St. Christopher's Church in Baldwin. Barrow took his own life Nov. 22 in Charlottesville, Va.
Born to George and Rita Barrow on May 14, 1986, the Baldwin High School graduate made a name for himself in personality, academics and athletics. The Rev. Charles G. Ackerson of Baldwin's All Saints Episcopal Church, who was Barrow's pastor for several years, described him as a smart, kind, Christian young man with a bright future. "Indeed, all of us saw a rising star," said Ackerson. "Will is an inspiration which we celebrate. He had great promise and was easily a source of pride and inspiration for so many people."
Ackerson went on to say that while many will have feelings of guilt about Barrow's death, it was most likely beyond their influence. "We might be inclined to beat ourselves up with questions which have no clear answers," Ackerson said. "Why did such a promising young man who from our points of view had so much going for him, take his own life? It is important for us to realize the cruel answer to that question is that there might have been nothing we could have done. We must be vigilant in honoring his life, not to celebrate the act of his death."
Barrow was known both locally and nationally for his athletic ability, and is considered one of the greatest athletes to ever come out of Long Island. In eighth grade, he was already an accomplished baseball and football player, and one of his coaches suggested he try lacrosse. Barrow traded baseball for lacrosse as a freshman, though he kept playing football. He received the Dragon Award, given to Long Island's best wide receiver, as well as numerous athletic awards, and he was named Player of the Game at the 2004 Outback Game, a showcase featuring the state's best high school seniors.
He was offered several scholarships for both football and lacrosse by a number of NCAA Division I schools, and ultimately he chose to play lacrosse at Virginia. There Barrow was one of only a few freshmen starters. In his four years at UVA, the team made the NCAA Final Four three times and won the national championship in 2006. He was the team's co-captain as a senior, and was considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the nation.
Barrow went on to play professional lacrosse, drafted 11th overall last spring by the Chicago Machine. He was ranked the 46th best lacrosse player in the nation, and made a number of appearances in newspaper stories and on sports television shows.
Barrow also excelled academically. At Baldwin High School, he made the Honor Roll and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Aside from his academic and athletic achievements, family members said they would remember a loving personality who affected all who knew him. An obituary provided by the family at the funeral read, "Will was a soft-spoken, gentle, humble and caring young man. His loving personality touched the lives of everyone who knew and loved him - even those he did not come in contact with. He made a tremendous impact on thousands of people, including family, friends and fans. Above all, he will be remembered as a beautiful, loving and highly motivated young man who, as many of us strive to do, made his indelible mark on the world."
The following are posts from Facebook pages that honored Barrow.
"Will, or as me and my brother called him, 'Milan Baros,' was an inspiration to many people but especially African-Americans past and present. Great athlete that played the game the way it should be played. Personally, he always had a great smile for me and my family whenever we attended UVA games, and his family was just as special. He will sorely be missed and my prayers to his family as they cope with this hard time."
- Jesus
"I grew up around the block from the Barrows and I remember always seeing Will jog past my house with his lacrosse stick in hand. That stick was glued to his hands. I saw how hard he worked and how great of a person he was. Something great has left us but he will never be forgotten. RIP Will."
- John
"Will, you were and still are an inspiration to the sport so many of us know and love. This is a tragedy to everyone that knew you and those of us who didn't. You will never be forgotten. RIP 23.
- Will
"With a kind heart and warm soul, Will was someone we could all look up to. He will greatly be missed and will remain forever in our hearts. RIP Will."
- Amanda
"Will, you are one of the most inspirational guys I've ever met. When I first met you at that UVA lacrosse camp a couple years, I was like, 'Wow! There's Will Barrow!! That's really Will Barrow!' From suiting up and 'acting like wolves all day' to being the laid back outgoing Wahoo on the team, I barely knew you, yet you made yourself widely known with not just your ability and intelligence with lacrosse, but with your personality, self-driveness, and heart. ... My thoughts and prayers go out to the Barrow family, Will's friends and everyone else who Will has touched in their lives. Wahoo-Wah, my friend, Wahoo-Wah Wah."
- Colin
"Will ... we will all miss you more than you can imagine. Always know that you were loved and will be loved forever. Your big heart and smile will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace, and I'll be seeing you again someday."
- Amanda
"He was the sweetest guy one will ever meet and always had the biggest smile on his face. That's how I will remember him. May he rest in peace."
- Jean
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
