Whiz Kids: Andrew Noorigan and Matthew Fertitta Named Ball Boys for LI Lizards

The Long Island Lizards professional lacrosse team recently announced that East Meadow residents Andrew Noorigan and Matthew Fertitta have been added to their volunteer staff as ball boys for the remainder of the 2011 season.

Noorigan and Fertitta, who have been involved in the East Meadow PAL fifth and sixth grade lacrosse program, regularly attend Lizards' practices at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium, and that caught the eye of the team.

"The Lizards family and crew welcomes Andrew and Matthew as dedicated lacrosse student/athletes who seem very passionate about the sport and about the members of the Long Island Lizards as well," said a Lizard’s representative.

The boys, who will both be attending in the fall, are responsible for retrieving balls when they go out of play. That role used to be held by East Meadow resident Andrew "Mookie" Alderman, who started as the Lizards' ball boy in their inaugural 2001 season. The ball boy tasks are very strenuous, with lots of running and lifting and chores before practice and games. Helping with cleanup is part of the job as well.

"When the balls go out of play, we go and get them and put them on the line," Noorigan said. "Then, when the players need a ball, they come get one from there."

Fertitta said he was really happy when he heard that he was one of the boys picked for the ball boy position.

"I really wanted to be a ball boy for the Long Island Lizards," Fertitta said. "It was actually really exciting for me."