Skip to content
Rally High School Sports
Link copied to clipboard

In fight against cancer, Seneca's McCormack has led by example

Tyler McCormack isn't exactly shy, but by the standards of his position on the lacrosse field, he's on the quiet side.

Tyler McCormack isn't exactly shy, but by the standards of his position on the lacrosse field, he's on the quiet side.

He's not the type of goalie to bang his stick on the pipes or fire up his team. He said he's not really a "yeller."

Instead, he tries to lead by example.

And it's in that area - leading by example - that McCormack really shines.

When this season started, the Seneca junior still didn't yet know if he was free from Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but that didn't stop him from competing - just as chemotherapy and radiation and doctor's appointments didn't stop him from training this offseason.

In late March, McCormack received news that he was cancer-free. A returning starter for a team that advanced to last year's South Jersey Group 2 championship, he was already in the midst of a strong junior season for the No. 7 ranked team in The Inquirer's South Jersey boys' lacrosse Top 10.

His coach, Rob Davidson, said McCormack's story is an inspiration to him and every one of his players.

But it's also a perfect example, a lesson in overcoming uncommon mental and physical anguish.

"Right away, I decided that I wasn't going to let this change anything I did," McCormack said. "I had my mind set that I was going to be back for lacrosse season. And I made sure I was working toward it every day."

The morning he found out he had cancer late last summer, McCormack was on the beach in Ocean City.

He drove home for a doctor's appointment that he initially scheduled because he felt a bit of tightness and slight pain in his armpit and chest. He remembers the doctor walking in with results of X-rays and blood tests.

"When they told me, I thought they were out of their minds," he said. "I was ready to go back to the beach after leaving there. But they told me I needed to go over to CHOP [Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania] right away."

The months that followed were littered with bouts of chemotherapy and radiation. The treatment, which finally ended in mid-February, is notorious for mentally and physically draining those who undergo it.

It kept McCormack from playing football and from playing in games for his fall lacrosse team.

But it didn't stop him from standing on the sidelines for football games and practices, and it didn't stop him from working out and training for high school lacrosse season. It didn't even stop him from going to school on most days.

"You think of these kids - and especially because they are just kids - you think of them as being invincible," Davidson said. "So when I heard the news that Tyler was sick, it was a shock. I think it was a little bit humbling for everybody.

"But watching him go through it is a testament to the kind of kid he is. There were times when I thought he wasn't going to be back. But there he was on the first day of practice. He just came out and tried not the make a big deal about it - even though it was a big deal."

McCormack is matter-of-fact in the way he talks about the ordeal. Sure, there were times when he felt sick or weak. He lost weight. He lost his hair. But looking back, he shrugs it off.

The family aspect of sports came through in the support he received from his fellow athletes. His football teammates shaved their heads in support of his struggle. And he could always count his lacrosse teammates to be there for him - all things he's grateful for.

It reminded him of why he has such a passion for lacrosse.

McCormack took up the sport in third grade and, through dedication and hard work, built himself into one of South Jersey's top goalies. He now aspires to play in college.

"Now that I'm all clear, I definitely find myself appreciating the little things more," he said. "To anyone going through something like this, I would just say to keep a positive attitude. There are so many people out there who are willing to help. So just be positive. And do what you do."