“Sexy Potato”?
January 31, 2024
If you’ve been to a youth lacrosse tournament in Upstate NY (or most anywhere in the Northeast) in the past year or so, you’ve probably seen them. Boys and girls’ teams, decked out in pink jerseys and shorts, that maybe you mistook for a new generation of Sailin’ Shoe teams.
But if you looked closer, you saw that their jerseys read “Sexy Potato.”
“Excuse me? Sexy what?”
You heard me. Sexy Potato.
I first saw them at Lake Placid last summer, and I ran into them again a week ago at Summit Lacrosse Ventures’ Power Sevens tournament in Albany. And if you haven’t seen them yet, chances are good you’re going to see them soon.
Jim Gallagher has been coaching his son Cayden and his Orange Crush ‘27 teammates since they were in first grade, going on eight years now. As Jim tells it, one of his goalies on a road trip to Philadelphia showed him a TikTok in which his name was Sexy Potato. After his coach asked him why, the goalie from Fayetteville-Manlius said, “because there is nothing sexy about a potato!”
Well, that phrase stuck, and as Jim continued to spend a lot of time with his players, he found himself asking, “Can I make more of an impact on these kids?” Over time, conversations with his son and his friends revealed an insecurity and hesitancy to talk about self-image and mental health. Goals and a clearer vision developed over time, and when Jim put things together, the Sexy Potato brand was born.
But why Sexy Potato?
Jim told me, “We get asked that a lot. The name starts a conversation (like this one) and that’s half the battle sometimes when it comes to mental health. Potatoes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors – just like people. It’s highly unlikely someone would define a potato as sexy or believe it has interesting or appealing qualities. The brand and those who represent it believe that every potato has these qualities and just needs the right positive attitude, confidence, and support. The initials SP, colors, and ribbon are intended to raise awareness for suicide prevention which, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is the second-leading cause of death in the United States from ages 10-34.”
For loyal readers, you might remember I wrote about Gordon Corsetti, suicide prevention, semi-colons, and the need to “Take Care of Your Crew” back in December. Here’s another reminder of just how important these issues are today, in and out of the lacrosse world. Looking down the road, I’ve got plans to introduce readers to other lacrosse-based organizations that are also reaching out to address mental health.
So, want to learn more about Sexy Potato?
Jim says, “Sexy Potato is a brand and non-profit started locally that is aimed at raising awareness for mental health and specifically suicide prevention. All money raised online or from in-person sales, donations, etc. are directed to our permanently endowed Team Sexy Potato Fund at Syracuse’s Upstate Hospital and their Psychiatry High Risk Program. The first donation we made to the fund was $10,000, and we’ve nearly raised another $10,000 since starting the brand about 16 months ago. In the meantime, the other monies raised and invested have gone to team sponsorships, sunglasses, stickers, and other merchandise aimed to raise awareness.”
Ah yes… about those sunglasses.
Jim says they made their first public appearance at the NCAA Championships and related youth Futures event in Connecticut in 2022. Loaded up with 4,000 pairs of shades, custom uniforms, banners, T-shirts, and hats, Sexy Potato made quite the first impression. His Orange Crush team then began wearing their special Sexy Potato uniforms for one game in every subsequent tournament to raise awareness and exposure. Since then, they have won “Best Uniform in Club Lacrosse” as sponsored by US Club Lacrosse – for two years running. While being the best is certainly an accomplishment, Jim likes to believe they have the “most important” uniform in club lacrosse.
Sexy Potato has also sponsored multiple boys and girls Jamesville-Dewitt lacrosse teams for current 7th-9thgraders, as Jim’s daughter Kylee is currently a 7th grader and plays on the 8th grade Orange Crush girls’ team. They played in multiple tournaments and indoor leagues under the name Team SPJD with special Sexy Potato/J-D uniforms.
Their participation and outreach at lacrosse tournaments are just where things got started. Last year, the Ithaca College field hockey team hosted its first-ever Sexy Potato Awareness Game. Since then, the Liverpool field hockey and J-D boys’ volleyball programs celebrated their SP Awareness Games this past October, with custom-made warm-ups for all participating athletes. Plans are underway to host and sponsor awareness games for other sports and programs.
Last summer, the group had its first Sexy Potato Outing, with three lacrosse teams of girls and boys, in Lake Placid. The event emphasized team building, self-confidence, helping others, volunteer work before the event, etc.
“I asked our players to do several charitable acts leading up to the event that encouraged them to look outside themselves and help others in a variety of ways,” says Jim. “Some were designed to get them to talk about mental health with their peers, and others helped charities, like a huge item drive for the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center. Players then earned their SP jerseys and, I believe, that gave them even more pride in wearing these uniforms in Lake Placid.”
This summer, Sexy Potato will double down in Placid with six teams. All 120 athletes or so will be asked to do similar charitable acts as last year leading up to the event.
In addition to more Awareness Games, Jim explained his goals for the near future. “Screening and education tools are being developed for both coaches and players, and we’re in the process of developing an in-person presentation to do with students/athletes about what can lead to a person feeling like more of a mashed potato than a sexy potato.”
Coach Gallagher also created a Sexy Potato website (Home | @TEAMSEXYPOTATO (square.site)), which greets visitors with this introduction:
“SEXY POTATO???
We get that question a lot, and love that our name starts the conversation.
The name came from one of our lacrosse players and immediately made us laugh.
Our initials (SP), colors, and ribbons are intended to raise awareness for Suicide Prevention… The brand and ‘Lax Spud’ logo were released in the lacrosse community, but we hope to expand beyond!”
There are links for making donations, for purchasing Sexy Potato swag (like sweatshirts, pullovers, shooting shirts, wristbands, and, of course, sunglasses),
The website also includes a “Spud Check,” which informs visitors, “This is ‘Bud’ and he’s performing what we like to call the Spud Check! It is simply checking in with your fellow potatoes to make sure they are feeling like a Sexy Potato and not feeling like a Mashed Potato. MAKE YOUR SPUD A BUD!”
And for those “Mashed Potatoes” out there… “Everyone feels like a mashed potato at times. It’s important to reach out for help when you feel like the weight of those mashed potatoes is becoming overwhelming. We are ALL a part of a team, and there is always someone available to help. Check out our resources below, or simply ask someone for help.”
Then the website lists plenty of helpful options:
“Feeling like a mashed potato? Here are some resources. Please, just know that you are not alone.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273 – TALK (8255)
Or text HELLO to the Crisis Text Line at 7417
National Institute of Mental Health
The Lead Federal Agency for Research on Mental Disorders.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
https://www.sprc.org/
Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/index.html
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
https://medlineplus.gov/suicide.html
National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
A public-private partnership working to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
https://theactionalliance.org/
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message to spread the word about actions everyone can take to prevent suicide.
https://www.bethe1to.com/
In conclusion, Jim says, “I can honestly say that all the athletes that have represented Sexy Potato in different settings have learned and grown from representing the brand. It helps make them feel a bit more comfortable talking about mental health – and that’s important.”
Look; I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – any and every coach, at any and every level, for any and every sport – owes it to his or her players to support a cause. Raise money, raise awareness, and do something for someone else. Kudos to Coach Gallagher and everyone involved with Sexy Potato!
Thanks for reading! Please consider subscribing at roadtripdad.com to receive weekly RTD pieces via email. It’s free – really! No fine print; no catches.
In the meantime, please drive carefully, everyone. Put down those cell phones. Volunteer. Donate blood. Get your shots; get your boosters. Mask up if asked. Love your neighbor. Help someone in need. Take care of your crew!
But most importantly, stay safe, stay smart, and stay kind.
- Dan Witmer
Dan is currently the author of four books. The Best of Road Trip Dad – The Laker Lacrosse Collection is an accumulation of 45 articles written for www.JustLacrosseUpstate between the years 2012 and 2018, about the history and traditions, the people, and the stories of the Oswego State men’s lacrosse program. … and piles to go before I sleep – The Book of Wit is his memoir describing his 33-year career teaching HS English and coaching at Hannibal Central School. His third book, The Best of RTD – A Lacrosse Coach’s Handbook contains more than 55 weekly Road Trip Dad blogs spanning 2012-2020, featuring Xs and Os, highs and lows, and even some Dos and Don'ts, and plenty of advice for coaches of all levels. His latest book, The Best of Road Trip Dad – On the Shoulders of Giants: Upstate’s Lacrosse Founders and Legends, profiles more than 50 icons who helped grow the game in Upstate NY. All four books are available at www.amazon.com.
Dan grew up in Lynbrook, NY before coming to Oswego State to earn his teaching and coaching certifications. He then taught English at Hannibal High School for 33 years before retiring in 2015.
In addition to coaching the Oswego State Laker men’s lacrosse team part-time from 1982-2010, Dan also coached JV and varsity girls’ soccer at Hannibal for 16 years, girls’ ice hockey at Oswego HS for 8 years, and boys’ JV and varsity lacrosse at Oswego HS for 12 years.
Dan is now in his 18th year assisting Summit Lacrosse Ventures with their various tournaments, especially the annual Lake Placid Summit Classic, and he worked for 3d Lacrosse for three years as well. He has served on the staffs of the 2014 FIL World Games in Denver, the 2015 FIL Indoor Championships in Syracuse, the 2018 FIL World Games in Netanya, Israel, the 2022 U21 World Championship in Limerick, Ireland, and the World Lacrosse Championships in San Diego in 2023. He is the game ops staff director for the World Lacrosse Men’s and Women’s Box Championships in Utica in September of 2024.
Dan served as the Community Service Coordinator for the Oswego State athletic department from 2010-2023 and has been a certified lacrosse referee for the past seven years. He has also been the Volunteer Event Organizer for the annual St. Baldrick’s fundraiser in Oswego for the past 18 years.
Last year he returned to the Oswego State coaching staff as an assistant coach, where he currently serves as defensive coordinator.
Dan and Sue Witmer live in Oswego, while their sons Brian and Eric are currently living in Prague and Denver.
The hope is for many more road trips to come.