Sandpoint Lacrosse announces Riley Hadeen Memorial Program

The Sandpoint High School lacrosse team gathered on Thursday for their end of the season banquet.

During the celebration, Sandpoint Lacrosse announced the newly created “Riley Hadeen Memorial Program” consisting of two parts: scholarship and sportsmanship awards.

The Riley Hadeen Memorial Program honors the memory of Riley Hadeen, who, at age 27, unexpectedly passed away while snowboarding on Schweitzer Mountain on December 26.

Hadeen grew up in Sandpoint, and was an avid outdoorsman who ran cross country, hiked, skied, snowboarded and played lacrosse.

He began playing lacrosse in middle school; by his freshman year, he got the start at goalie. He stayed at that spot during all four years of high school.

During Hadeen’s time as a high school lacrosse player, the team as a whole opted to forego player award nominations and adopted the motto, “We’re a team.”

It was a surprise when the North Idaho Lacrosse League had Hadeen’s name listed as a Sportsmanship nominee.

Other head coaches from the North Idaho Lacrosse League noticed Hadeen’s sportsmanship.

“He was always a team-oriented athlete, and it showed,” Lauren Doko, communications and marketing director, said. “It was no surprise that he won the Sportsmanship Award that year as it was well deserved and officially recognized.”

To commemorate Hadden’s life and memory, a two-part memorial program was created. “The Riley Hadeen Memorial Lacrosse Scholarship and the Riley Hadeen Lacrosse Sportsmanship Award.” The program not only keeps the love Hadeen had for the outdoors and sports alive, but also shines a bright light on the model sportsmanship he exuded.

Cathy Schuller, Hadeen’s mom, was in attendance during the announcement of the memorial program.

“Riley was humble, kind, kind of weird, and he was a pretty amazing human,” Schuller said. “He touched many lives in his short 27 years, and his presence is missed every day.”

“I am really thankful for the Riley Hadeen Memorial Scholarship and Sportsmanship Award to honor him. His memory will live on for years now,” Schuller continued. “As a mom you never want your child to be forgotten, so this is something that will ensure he will be remembered for years..”

The scholarship provides financial assistance to any Sandpoint youth or high school lacrosse player in need and who wants to play the sport.

The scholarship fund is applicable to spring registration fees, equipment rentals, if needed, and is available to those players’ who demonstrate financial need.

Sandpoint Lacrosse registration opens in November for the spring 2023 registration Applicants can apply for the Riley Hadeen Memorial Lacrosse Scholarship.

During the end of the season celebration, Sandpoint Lacrosse also selected two high school players to receive the newly created award. The boys’ lacrosse coach Dakota Blaese selected Sophomore Ryan Doko

Blaese and Hadeen were teammates in high school.

“The high school boys coaches and I thought a lot about who this should go to,” Blaese said. “Who on the team was always there to support his teammates, never brought his teammates down, and always had a smile? He is kind of a goofy guy and actually reminds me of (Riley) very much. He also plays goalie.”

Sandpoint girls’ Coach Nancy Dooley selected Senior Audrey Anderson to receive the award.

“When the high school girl coaches discussed who could be the recipient of this award, we immediately knew (Audrey) Anderson was the clear choice,” Dooley said. “She has always been a positive force on the team, willing to help new players develop skills or assist coaches with equipment and set up. She’s the first to lend a hand and the first to offer motivating words of encouragement to her teammates.”

Although Audrey is a stiff competitor, she is respectful and even kind to her opponents and to officials,” Dooley continued. “We are honored to continue Riley’s legacy of great sportsmanship and team camaraderie by presenting this wonderful award to Audrey.”

Both player selections received commemorative wood-engraved plaques with the distinctions noted for exemplary sportsmanship displayed this season. The plaques also included Riley’s well-known quote, “Be awesome and do good things.”

Sandpoint Lacrosse is the first organization in the area to formalize a memorial in memory of Riley Hadeen. For more information, or to donate to the program contact Sandpoint Lacrosse sandpointlacrosse.org or sandpointlacrosse@gmail.com.