One of the greatest privileges of my life was being able to call Neil Judge my Poppy. Poppy was truly one of a kind. He was strong. He was gentle. He made everything better. He was an avid reader, loved the New York Yankees and Irish music, and never missed the chance to make sure every waffle had enough syrup and butter.
As the athletic director at Mercy College for 34 years, sports were an important part of Poppy’s life. Growing up, I learned from a young age through his stories and encouragement the importance of hard work, dedication, and never giving up. From spending hours hitting a wiffle ball in the backyard on Sunflower Avenue, to standing on the sidelines of all our games, to watching Anna play from the living room, Poppy always emphasized what it meant to be a student-athlete. Putting academics before athletics was not optional; it was essential.
On January 15th, 2023, Poppy passed away after a courageous battle with myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS. MDS is a rare chronic blood cancer in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells. In his honor, I will be running the Fairfield Beach Half Marathon while raising money for the MDS Foundation. Their mission is to improve the lives of those diagnosed with MDS and to advance research toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. With the money I raise, I hope to give another family more time with their Poppy.
Although Poppy was not here to see my high school graduation, Anna’s college graduation, William’s eighth-grade graduation, Anna’s final collegiate game, or my first collegiate game, I know he is looking down on us with a smile on his face. He knows he did well. He did well instilling in us the values that made him so great. We will always “have a strong foundation, when the winds of change shift.”