From JUDolphins.com JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Not often does a college keep up with a recruit that signed with another school, especially a Southern Conference (SoCon) rival. Not often, though, does the story of John Michael Night come along. For Jacksonville coach Guy Van Arsdale and the Dolphins’ men’s lacrosse program, raising awareness for the former Orlando Trinity Prep star’s battle with Locked-In Syndrome has become a personal crusade. “The lacrosse community is very close and truly is a family,” Van Arsdale said. “We are only reacting in the way any good family should. We are convinced when people in the lacrosse community become aware of the challenges facing John Michael, they will all pitch in.” Jacksonville hosts the sixth annual Moe’s Southwest Grill Lacrosse Classic sponsored by LAX.com and Brumos Automotive Feb. 13-15 and will run public service announcements about how to contribute to the Night medical fund on the D.B. Milne Field video board during Sunday’s Dolphins’ contest against Monmouth. Night and his family are currently in Atlanta at the Shepherd Center, which provides intensive rehabilitation for patients with spinal-cord injuries, brain trauma and neuromuscular disorders. D.B. Milne Field will also serve as the site of 12 boys’ lacrosse games featuring Florida high schools over the course of two days, Saturday and Monday, during the Classic. Last year, the Dolphins used the three-day event to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. Night, a face off specialist and member of the Under Armour All-America Underclass South and Brine National Lacrosse All-America teams, was recruited by Van Arsdale’s staff. The Gait Cup All-Star and three-time Team Florida Showcase All-Star had been a captain for the Trinity Prep varsity lacrosse team since his sophomore year. While in class one morning in December 2015, two weeks after being awarded an athletic and academic scholarship to SoCon foe Mercer, Night suffered a brainstem stroke. He was later diagnosed with Locked-In Syndrome, a medical condition in which the body and most of the facial muscles are paralyzed but consciousness remains and the ability to perform certain eye movements is preserved. Despite Night signing with the Bears, Van Arsdale remembers the high school senior as a quality student-athlete and wants his family to know that Night will always have a special place in the hearts and minds of Dolphin faithful, saying, “We all wish for John Michael’s family and friends to know we are here to support them as they work every day with him.” Lake Highland Prep, which battles Ponte Vedra at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 15, recently partnered with its rival Trinity Prep at a boys’ basketball game and raised over $14,000 for the Night cause. To date, donations from a variety of charities and fundraisers to help pay for medical bills have raised more than $300,000, but according to estimates, it will be a fraction of what’s needed, as out-of-pocket expenses for the family will almost certainly run into the millions. “His recovery is going to be long, arduous and expensive,” Van Arsdale said. “Our hope is that through using the largest lacrosse event in Florida, many will join us in supporting John Michael and his family. Every dollar will have a significant impact.” The donations to help pay for rehabilitation already appear to be paying dividends. Since the stroke, Night has regained the ability to make sound with his mouth and in mid-January, he moved one hand, small but also huge steps because a large percentage of people never recover from a brainstem stroke. More information is available on how to donate to the Night medical fund and follow daily updates on his progress.