Michael Bruce wore number 8 as a star lacrosse player in Bridgewater, NJ. In the spring of 1988, Mike and his teammates lost a heartbreaking playoff game that ended their season. While that loss was a tough one, everyone knew that Mike’s real future in the game existed beyond high school.
Unfortunately, on a wet fall morning later that year, everything changed. On his way to take the SAT exam, Mike was in a terrible car accident that left him paralyzed. After the shocking news of Mike's condition became known, the tight-knit lacrosse community of Bridgewater, immediately rallied around Mike to support him and his family, and did so throughout his life.
#8 MIKE'S STORY
The Michael Bruce Fund was initially created to raise funds to defray the staggering medical costs associated with Mike’s care, but evolved to do much more than that. The Fund helped others as well by supporting research into traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) and by directly supporting others with similar injuries to Mike's. Meanwhile, Mike became an inspiration to many through his unwavering strength, courage, and good humor. Sadly, Mike passed away in 2000 but his spirit lives on.
WE PLAY FOR MIKE
2018 marked 30 years since Mike walked onto a lacrosse field. In recognition of that, a core group of his friends and teammates from the 1988 season decided to dust off their gear and pull together a team to play some “old guy” lacrosse in his honor, and Team 8 was born. We hope to grow Team 8 and appreciate any and all support and welcome any player that wants to play for Mike.
The Michael Bruce Fund ceased operations in 2020, passing the ball to Team 8. Mike's friends and teammates are continuing the good work done by the Fund, in honoring Mike's legacy.
Team 8 is a 501(c)(3) created for just that purpose, to honor Mike's memory by playing the game that Mike loved so much. They play in his name, raising funds for scholarships, supporting spinal cord injury research and providing support for lacrosse as a team sport.
MIKE'S LEGACY LIVES ON
Mike's impact on Bridgewater-Raritan High School, and the entire community can not be understated. In 2012, a new scoreboard at the high school lacrosse field was dedicated as a memorial to Mike.
Every year, one lacrosse player is awarded the highest honor by being chosen to wear Mike's number 8 for the season. This honor is taken very seriously as it celebrates those players who exemplify Mike's spirit of teamwork, leadership, commitment and character.
The annual Bridgewater-Raritan Alumni Game brings Alumni from all over and all graduating classes back to high school where they team up by class year as "odds vs. evens" and play the game in Mike's honor. And Bridgewater Lacrosse, the youth lacrosse program, hosts the the Michael Bruce Tournament for high school players every year as well.