NEW YORK – The Columbia lacrosse program will honor Kathleen Roskot on Saturday afternoon at the Baker Athletics Complex.
 
In Roskot's memory, the lacrosse program will rename its annual alumnae game to the "Kathleen Roskot Alumnae Game," featuring a yearly tribute to the Columbia lacrosse star who tragically lost her life 25 years ago.
 
"This day comes with such mixed emotions for many who have been a part of our program over the course of the last 25 years," Head Coach Anne Murray said. "Kathleen was known for her passion, grit, joy, and commitment to helping her team improve every day. With this in mind, we are going to make sure #13 graces the field for the Kathleen Roskot Alumnae Game every year moving forward."
 
Beginning in 2026, one Columbia Lacrosse player will don Roskot's jersey #13 to celebrate Kathleen's vigorous spirit. This player will be chosen by her teammates, and recognized for her competitive drive, positive attitude, and relentless commitment to the development of herself and her teammates, all of which were just some of the great qualities that Kathleen brought to the Lions.
   
The program wishes to bestow this honor every year, hoping that every time #13 takes the field from now on, it will be in Roskot's honor and represent everything she has meant to Columbia lacrosse.
 
This player will also receive the team's newly named "Kathleen Roskot Alumnae Award."
 
"I hope today and for every day moving forward, that we can all keep Kathleen in our hearts, just as her spirit will always be with us on the field as a Lion," Murray said.
 
Roskot's family has established the Kathleen Roskot Scholarship Fund in her name. This fund has established scholarships at Columbia, Bay Shore High School, and for a Suffolk County player going on to play lacrosse at a Division I program. It is her family's goal to help more students achieve their dreams of achievement and success. 
 
For more information and to donate, CLICK HERE.
 
Speaking on what this honor would mean to Kathleen and what it means to the Roskot family, Kathleen's mother Julia Roskot said "I have to begin by emphasizing how much Kathleen loved Columbia, the academics, her lacrosse coaches, her teammates, friends and all that New York City had to offer, It was the Fall of 1997 and Kathleen had her heart set on attending an Ivy League College. Shortly her visit with Celine Cunningham and the Columbia team, we asked Kathleen how her weekend was. Kathleen quickly answered 'Columbia is where I am going." Having a tribute like this in Kathleen's honor is something the Roskot family will cherish forever. 
 
This initiative is also tied to lacrosse's annual One Love game. Founded in honor of UVA student-athlete Yeardley Love, One Love is a national non-profit that empowers young people with tools and resources to see the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and bring life-saving prevention education to their communities.
 
Want to be a part of the movement to end relationship violence? Visit gocolumbialions.com/onelove to learn more or to donate.

The Lions will take on #15 Penn on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Kraft Field. At halftime, Columbia will officially dedicate its annual alumnae game to Kathleen Roskot. Kathleen's family will be in attendance and will be recognized on the field during a halftime ceremony.
 
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.