Game day: Outpouring of love for “Man Rose” at art reveal celebration

For every game of their 2024 season, players on the Northport girls lacrosse team wore red ribbons in their hair. The ribbons were wide and long, tied around high ponytails and buns, or woven into braids. They were impossible to miss, flying brightly in the air as the girls vied for another victory on the field. 

Inspired by their coach Alton Rose (affectionately known as “Man Rose”), the girls wore the ribbons as a reminder of his courage, determination and warrior spirit; the coach was diagnosed late last year with a form of brain cancer.  

“Man Rose is hands down the strongest person I've ever met. And I speak on behalf of the whole lacrosse team when I say that he was our biggest motivation this season,” said Northport varsity captain Lauren Baudier at an event held last Tuesday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport Village. The gathering was organized to honor Rose with a painting by Nancy and Bob Hendrick of the Trinity Community Art Center (TCAC). More than an unveiling of artwork, the event was an outpouring of love and respect, from Rose’s family and friends, the girls he and his wife Carol Rainson-Rose coach, and some of their biggest fans. 

“Throughout the years, Man Rose showed up to every practice with a big smile, lots of positive energy, bringing snacks for us and playing music and dancing with us to make our team seem more like a family. This did not change when he began his battle, and that was a great lesson for our whole team, teaching us all to never give up when times are tough,” Baudier continued. 

“We wore red ribbons this season in our hair to remind us to be warriors every game, just like Man Rose. To fight and give it our all despite facing challenges, and not to dwell on the negative things. Man Rose has been there for us constantly this season, even when facing his own battles, and he knows that we will always be there for him.”

The making of a legacy
The Roses founded the lacrosse program at Northport High school in 1990. An All-American lacrosse player for Cortland State, Rainson-Rose, along with her assistant coach and husband (she and Alton married in 1991), have led Northport to 15 county championships, nine Long Island titles and two state Class A crowns. She is the winningest coach in New York State history, with 500 career wins under her belt – that milestone was reached this past May with an emotional 8-7 victory over Commack in the Suffolk Class A semifinal. 

Together, the Roses have produced over 140 high school lacrosse All-Americans and over 200 D1 athletes. Rainson-Rose also built the highly recognized Long Island Yellow Jackets travel lacrosse program from the ground up. For those accomplishments and then some, Man Rose has been right by her side. 

Speaking of her husband at last week’s event, Rainson-Rose recognized Alton as an integral part of Northport athletics, coaching both football and lacrosse for the past 37 years. “He has truly touched the lives of so many young people as a role model, motivator and dedicated mentor. Al Rose is a kind, caring, strong, compassionate man. His kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit is what makes him truly a remarkable soul,” she said through tears. “As he battles adversity, he is teaching us all about strength and courage, and how to battle like a warrior. He is not only an incredible coach, but a wonderful father and friend. It is an honor to be here this evening to honor this amazing coach, who I am proud to call my husband.”

In his introduction of the Roses at the June 18 event, Father Andrew Garnett said there was a lot to learn from the couple. “They've served as mentors, guides, and beacons of two things, folks, and I want you to take this away from tonight: perseverance and dedication. Their influence extends far beyond the sports field, touching the lives of many with their unwavering commitment and passion. From what I have heard, Al and Carol have always embodied this mindset, showing to us that true success comes from effort and dedication to become our best selves.”

The making of “Game Day”
How Nancy and Bob Hendrick’s painting came to be is testament to the fluidity of community, and the impact the Roses have had on the people who surround them – including the ones they just met. 

Last month, Bob mentioned online how he would like to begin an athletic series highlighting local sports teams. One thing led to another, which resulted in a seamless – and fateful, said Bob – collaboration between local residents passionate about art, sports and community. 

After seeing the post, Maria Monda, TCAC’s resident artist of the month and catalyst to “all of this happening,” Bob said, told him about Steve Zaitz, an award-winning photojournalist who works closely with Northport sports. Monda, outgoing president of the Northport High School Marching Band Booster Club, approached Zaitz about a photo he thought could be adapted for paint. One photo came to mind immediately, Zaitz told the Journal, though he submitted about a dozen for Bob to review.

“I went through them and when I saw the photo of Coach Al I thought, ‘This is incredible, like a Vince Lombardi moment,’” Bob said. He immediately called it “Game Day,” and began working off the inspiration of the words to create the painting. It was the same photo Zaitz had been thinking of. 

“Bob was enamored with this photo as well, and when he read the story I had written about the lacrosse team and the Roses' 500th career win together, I think he was overwhelmed with how much this would mean to everybody involved with the team, town and most of all Carol, who is a Northport institution,” Zaitz said. 

Bob invited Zaitz and Monda to the TCAC studio so they could provide some backstory on Coach Al. After hearing their stories, and reading the “overwhelming” response to the Roses’ photo and story online, the Hendricks decided to honor Man Rose in person, and present the painting to him in front of the community. “We need to honor our real hometown heroes who make us all better people,” Nancy said. Father Andrew was on board, immediately agreeing to host the event in Houghton Hall in the church. He put a basket in the back of the church and told the parish the plans to celebrate Man Rose. “The parish members donated out of their hearts a lot of money to help buy pizzas, water and snacks for all the athletes and attendees,” Bob said. 

He and Nancy finished the painting in three days. 

“Game Day” depicts a moment in time, a moment before the game in which Man Rose was walking toward Zaitz on the sideline, Carol and the girls lacrosse team huddled behind him in the sunset. 

“The thing I always try to do, with my photos as well as my stories, is capture something meaningful and special from an event that may have otherwise gone unnoticed by everyone else,” Zaitz said. 

A vignette in the painting puts the focus on Man Rose. Rainson-Rose’s silver hair shines in the background. Red ribbons are everywhere.  

The feelings are mutual…
Just before “Game Day” was unveiled, the lacrosse team’s four captains – Baudier, Kennedy Radziul, Christina Lauro, and Julia Huxtable – shared words of encouragement and affection for Man Rose. They represented a larger team of girls who love and respect their coaches, their teammates and their journeys on and off the field. 

“I'm so happy and honored to be able to celebrate Man Rose today, and to share some words with you about this incredible man,” said Radziul. “From day one, Man Rose has been my biggest supporter. He is always positive and encouraging and has taught me how to persevere even during the most difficult times. Whether it's a word of encouragement or a hug after a tough game, he has always cheered me on.”  But Man Rose isn't just a cheerleader, she said.

“With everything that has happened in the past year, he has shown me and all my teammates and the Northport community that he is a fighter, a person of true strength and courage. 

Well, everyone knows how physically strong man Rose is. It's his mental toughness and heart that are most inspiring to me. He has the most incredible confidence and determination…. I know I'm not the only person in Northport that sees what an extraordinary human being Man Rose is. I think the people gathered here today show just a small glimpse of the impact that he has had on our community.”

Lauro agreed. “I've been continuously inspired by your strength, determination and loving energy. You show me that even in the hard times, we can find the courage to push forward,” she said to Rose, who was sitting front and center with Carol and their two sons, Cameron and Cobi. Growing up, the boys spent some time on the lacrosse field sidelines watching the Tigers play; at last week’s event, they towered over their parents. 

“Man Rose, when I think of you, in my eyes and speaking for the rest of the team, you are equivalent to a ray of sunshine,” Lauro said. “Seeing your smile lights up my day, always. During the season, if a game, practice or anything got hard, I looked over to you and smiled because you'd always be smiling. Your smile reminds me of the beauty of playing lacrosse.”

Huxtable closed the evening’s comments with a look into just what Man Rose has brought to the team, how much he’s impacted each player’s life, and the mutual admiration and support that will long outlast this season.  

“Some people say you can't teach heart but Man Rose proved them wrong. Through his leadership, his battle and unwavering spirit, he has taught us all how to fight not just individually, but as one,” she said. 

“Through Man Rose’s leadership, we learned the true meaning of strength. It’s not avoiding the challenges thrown at you, it's facing them, whether you're alone or have a team of 36 girls who love you, or a kick-ass wife who's there every step of the way. His love, courage and dedication has left a tremendous mark on us. And for that, we are forever grateful. It's been a pleasure having you as a coach for four years. No one deserves this as much as you. Keep on fighting. We're all by your side.”