College Lacrosse Star From New York Dies Unexpectedly At 19

Nineteen is an age where you are supposed to have your entire life of hopes and dreams ahead of you. When you are a star lacrosse player for a university in the extremely competitive Division I Colonial Athletic Association, you have a lot to look forward to. On Monday, tragedy struck the UMass lacrosse program, involving one of their bright young players.

According to Roger Rubin of newsday.com, Aidan Kaminska, who was raised in Port Jefferson, New York, died “unexpectedly,” according to an obituary notice and the university. The article said that Kaminska was a football and lacrosse star at Port Jefferson High School, located on the north shore of Long Island, prior to being recruited to join the UMass Minutemen lacrosse team.

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The Newsday article quoted Port Jefferson superintendent Jessica Schmettan: “The District was informed of the sudden passing of one of our alumni from the Class of 2020, Aidan Kaminska. Our thoughts and prayers are with the former student’s friends, family and loved ones during this difficult time . . . I offer my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family, staff and friends who suffered this great loss.”

According to Allie Griffin of nypost.com, Kaminska was a sophomore communications major and a midfielder for UMass Amherst’s lacrosse team. The teenager was known for “his infectious smile” and his abilities as “a tremendous athlete,” as it state in his obituary. This season, Kaminska was CAA Rookie of the Week in April after scoring three goals against Hofstra. Kaminska was named CAA All-Rookie team for the 2022 season and the 2022 CAA All-Tournament team. Aiden Kaminska did not play in the March 8th game vs. UAlbany.

No cause of death has been disclosed. According to newsday.com, "Aiden Kaminska is survived by his parents, Glenn and Lydia; his older brother, Connor; his grandfather, Robert J. Johnston, Jr.; his grandparents, Fred and Betty Kaminska; as well as a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins," as stated in his obituary. Long Island lacrosse powerhouse and soon-to-be CAA full-member, Stony Brook University showed their respects.