Michael Patrick "Mike" Sennett

Sennett, Michael Patrick 'Mike' founder and head lacrosse coach at DeSmet Jesuit High School and whose leadership and passion for the sport led to its rapid growth in Missouri, died unexpectedly last Saturday while with his team at a lacrosse tournament near South Bend, Indiana. He was 38. Mike, a native of Detroit, played high school ball at Brother Rice in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He went on to play college lacrosse at the University of Notre Dame where he was a three-time monogram winner at attack and served as team captain for the Fighting Irish his senior year. Mike received a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Notre Dame in 1991. Upon graduation, he moved to St. Louis to accept a position as Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual - The Hempstead Agency in Clayton, Missouri. Mike continued his service with the agency for the next seventeen years building strong personal relationships with clients throughout the Mid-West addressing their advanced business and individual estate planning needs. Immediately upon his arrival in the St. Louis area in 1991, Mike founded and became head coach of the lacrosse program at DeSmet Jesuit High School, on of the first teams to play lacrosse in the State of Missouri. His early efforts led to the establishment of the Missouri Scholastic Lacrosse Association, the governing body for boys and girls lacrosse Missouri, and to the explosive growth of the sport throughout the state. The Spartans won a record six Missouri High School State Championships under Coach Sennett. Over the years, Mike started numerous leagues, camps and clinics for youth and high school players. He earned Coach of the Year honors and won Lacrosse Man of the Year awards. Mike coached Missouri all-star teams in national events and was selected to coach national teams in US Lacrosse events. Through his efforts scores of players became high school All-Americans and dozens upon dozens of student-athletes went on to play college lacrosse at the highest levels. Annually, Mike Sennett brought top-ranked NCAA teams to the St. Louis Fall Face-Off earning nationwide exposure, recognition and respect for Missouri. In 2005, Coach Sennett was elected into the inaugural class of the Missouri Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Despite all the accolades and success, what best describes the heart of Mike Sennett was the advice he gave his team immediately after DeSmet won its first-ever state championship in 1996. Coach Sennett instructed his players, 'Don't ever stop giving back...don't ever stop.' Throughout his life, Mike Sennett never stopped giving back. Mike endeared his life to Christ. As an active member of St. Clement's Parish, he helped organize and lead youth group activities. He served as volunteer fireman for the Boles Fire Protection District in Franklin County, Missouri. Mike took on many roles in the Christian Business Men's Club. Acting upon his faith, Mike served as counselor during numerous Jesuit-sponsored Kairos retreats for high school aged young men. Most recently, Coach Sennett worked to found a lacrosse program at Matthews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club this Spring. While accomplishing so much, what made Coach Sennett most proud was the large number of former players who went on to coach lacrosse at the youth and high school levels. The young men he coached and mentored for the last sixteen years of his life could be counted on to 'never stop giving back.' As a tribute to the contributions Coach Sennett has made to lacrosse, teams across the state will wear special helmet decals that read, 'Count On Me' throughout the remainder of the season. Mike Sennett's inspiration, joy and unending love of life revolved around his family. Michael is survived by his fiancee, Amber Mosbacher of Waterloo, Illinois; his parents, John and Dianne (nee Martin) Sennett of Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida; three brothers, Thomas (Janet) Sennett of Troy, Michigan, Tim Sennett of Orchard Lake, Michigan, and Matthew (Beth) Sennett of Darien, Illinois; his sister, Julie (Michael) James of Dedham, Massachusetts; and eight nieces and nephews.Services: Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at BOPP Chapel, 10610 Manchester Rd., Kirkwood. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Boulevard. Memorial contributions may be made to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, 5200 Glennon Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63119, or St. Louis Lacrosse Foundation, c /o Ren Pettinelli - Treasurer, 1553 Morning Sun Drive, Ballwin, Missouri 63021. For all those who were touched by Coach Sennett, a special website has been set-up at http://rememberingsennett. blogspot.com to share your thoughts, stories, memories, respects and prayers.