Family circle

Sure, lacrosse is a team sport. But for the Penn women’s lacrosse team, it’s a family affair.

In the Franklin Field stands, it’s impossible to miss the enthusiastic group of mothers and fathers demonstrating their unwavering support for their daughters on the turf.

And make no mistake about it, this dedicated group enjoys every second of its time spent with the program.

“The parents … love being together,” said Rose Leitner, the team’s resident photographer.

Leitner, who is the mother of Quakers goaltender and Daily Pennsylvanian videographer Emily, posts videos and photos of the team online after each game.

“Our daughters work so hard at obtaining such an amazing goal, so to be there and to see them play and be there to cheer them on is so important,” she added.

These parents take their job very seriously. After every Penn goal, the members of the tight-knit cheering section perform an organized rally, complete with signs. The tradition has been passed down throughout the years, and while those holding the signs — and the sticks — have changed, the enthusiasm has remained.

“You have to brace yourself and get ready for this whole new crew of families, but every year you fall in love all over again with a whole new group of women,” the elder Leitner said, referring to the players. “Some of them get on the field and some of them don’t, but they all contribute to this team in such a vibrant way and that’s true of the parents too.”

The parents also make every effort to see each away game on the Quakers’ schedule.

Suzanne Brennan, mother of junior co-captain Erin, has never missed watching one of her daughter’s games and doesn’t intend to.

While in Singapore, Leitner even streamed a game via PennAthletics.com at 3 a.m. to watch her daughter play.

But the Red and Blue lacrosse parents go above and beyond merely attending every game. They show up sporting paraphernalia with their players’ names and numbers as well.

Christina Poplawski, mother of sophomore midfield Maddie, contacted Under Armour to set up an online store for the program’s supporters to purchase team gear for their friends and families.

“Usually you end up buying them for the grandparents and the aunts and uncles,” Leitner said. “In our family, I think we bought 20 badges so everyone knows who [in the crowd] belongs to Emily.”

But the parents’ true dedication comes in the form of the tailgates they organize following the games.

The parents have perfected the art of tailgating, down to the tablecloths, fresh-cut flowers and toothpicks. They go beyond the standard burgers and hot dogs. Parents who sign up to organize a tailgate provide foods ranging from filets to salmon for the post-game parties.

“All the parents are really just terrific and just doing whatever they can do to help out,” Carol Giordano, mother of senior co-captain Giulia Giordano, said.

“It’s really nice to win games, but I think a lot of us have a really good time getting to know one another, just making some wonderful friends as a result of lacrosse.”

These profound friendships between the players and their families continue even after the lacrosse season ends.

Former players and their parents often come back to cheer on the Quakers. Most recently, the parents of 2010 graduate Emma Spiro returned to Franklin Field Sunday to support the Red and Blue as they took on Cornell. And, as expected, they were welcomed back with open arms.

“They just have friendships that they’ve made for life on this team,” the elder Brennan said. “Everybody says that Penn is the happiest Ivy — well, we are. We are the happiest darn lacrosse team and the happiest Ivy kids.”

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