Salem State Athletics Announces The Sam Cioffi Student-Athlete Wellness Fund
For more information or to support the Sam Cioffi Student-Athlete Wellness fund, please visit: https://crowdfunding.salemstate.edu/project/37651
For higlights produced by Marblehead TV of the Sam Cioffi Memorial Lacrosse Tournament. please visit https://vimeo.com/843940045?share=copy
HONORING SAM CIOFFI, 9/14/99-5/1/22
On the last Friday of April in the spring of 2022, Sam Cioffi cemented his name into the Salem State men's lacrosse record books. The transfer-student set both the single game and single season record for scoring that spring evening and was on top of the world as he completed his return to college lacrosse.
"Sam was such an offensively gifted player on the lacrosse field," said SSU Head Coach Stephen Driscoll. "He could decipher through a defense and get to the goal with ease." In just one season playing at Alumni Field, Cioffi racked up multiple accolades and records, including Little-East All Conference Honorable Mention (first conference award by a Salem State player since the 2015 season), single season goal record with 55, single season man-up goals with 7, second all-time in single season points with 68, and first in single season goals per game (3.44). Cioffi also set the single game record at Salem State with 11 points in 2022. "Sam Cioffi rewrote the record books as one of the most offensively gifted players to ever wear the "Navy and Orange," added coach Driscoll.
Sam's family, including his mother Sally Cioffi, were filled with pride and some relief to see him back on the field and finding success. "Sam was so excited about breaking the record that night and proud of his accomplishment. He asked us all to share on social media and was excited that he was asked to do an interview with Marblehead Community Access TV to talk about his season and success."
The following Sunday, Cioffi was found dead by his teammates, a victim of fentanyl poisoning.
"The night before Sam's death he was asking me to make cookies for the end of the season lacrosse party which was on that Sunday," remembered Sally Cioffi. We knew something was wrong when he didn't show up at our house that morning and we couldn't reach him. As we started to get information on where he was and what had happened it became clear that he had taken what he thought was a Percocet, but had unknowingly ingested fentanyl. Despite how much we often worried about Sam, nothing prepares you for that moment."
Sam was a popular and well-known student-athlete among the local sports community and across the North Shore before Salem State. He was a D1 commit for lacrosse early in his high school career. According to his family, despite these successes, Sam also faced struggles with his mental health and drug addiction. Although Sam had turned things around while at Salem State, one decision following the biggest night of his career in uniform ultimately cost him his life.
Director of Athletics, Nicolle Wood: "I think that one of the things that really impacted me and many of our students was how Sally spoke about Sam at the vigil we held a few days after his passing. She was so heartbroken, but also bravely shared that Sam was an amazing son, brother, athlete, friend…and that he also was someone struggling with addiction and mental health. I think that reminder, that one of our own student-athletes was impacted by the opioid crisis, really helped people start to look at the dangers every person who decides to take a pill recreationally faces. This is not a crisis that discriminates or is isolated to certain communities."
"Fentanyl is the number one cause of death for ages 18-45 which is an average of 150 people a day," stated Sally Cioffi. It is in the news every day and yet the numbers keep going up. There is no safe drug to experiment with or try – one pill cut with fentanyl can and will kill you."
A year after his death, the family has partnered with the athletics department at Salem State to ensure that Sam's story continues to be shared with the hope of saving lives, and providing support resources to his fellow Vikings as they navigate their college experience.
"In the days, weeks and months that followed Sam's death, one of the things that I was moved by was the way our community came together to remember him, support his team and family, and hold each other up," said Nicolle Wood. I think that culture of caring for each other is one that the family really felt as they spent time around our student-athletes and staff. The family has been so generous with sharing Sam's story and doing it in a way that is honest and profound. I am in awe of their strength and drive to move forward from their own loss in a way that will help other families."
"Sam really enjoyed the classes and teachers at SSU and felt the curriculum was useful for real life and mentioned how successful he was going to be in business," added Sally Cioffi. The lacrosse team taught Sam about sportsmanship, competitiveness, the will to win and to accept loss. His coach and teammates had a strong bond and were passionate and supportive of each other. When Sam passed, the support from Salem State President John Keenan, our coaches, director of athletics and student-athletes was incredible. The way they organized and showed up for his vigil just a few days later was amazing. It honored the Sam we knew and loved on the field, the one who had finally found himself again as an athlete and student. He had found his place. Now through the fund and wellness center he will continue to be part of the Viking community."
On June 17, 2023, that type of support was apparent as the 1st Annual "Sam Cioffi Memorial Lacrosse Tournament" was held. Originally limited to 50 attendees, the event had to be expanded due to the high number of signups and a growing wait list. Despite rain and gloomy conditions most of the morning, over 100 lacrosse players from across the North Shore came out to support the family. Parents, fans, and friends of the family also lined the field to watch the action. Proceeds of the event will benefit the Sam Cioffi Student-Athlete Wellness Fund, which has been established in Sam's memory. However, for the family, this day meant so much more than just a fundraiser.
"It was amazing to see the players from all the teams that Sam, Drew and Ford (Sam's brothers) played on over their lacrosse careers all on the same field," said Sally Cioffi. The range of skill ranged from current D1 players to dads, all brought together by the game that Sam loved so much. After the event, many of the players were saying it was the best time playing lacrosse they had ever had, and shared they were already looking forward to next year's event. We felt the love for Sam!"
Coach Driscoll added, "The Sam Cioffi Memorial Lacrosse Tournament" was such great celebration of Sam and his love for the game of lacrosse. Being able to have close to 100 players join together to play in honor of Sam really epitomizes how spiritual of a game lacrosse is. All the players and spectators at Alumni Field on Saturday could feel the importance of what we were raising awareness for."
In addition to the tournament, an on-line campaign launched just six weeks ago has raised over $64,000 for the fund, eclipsing an early goal of $50,000 set in May. Nicolle Wood shared "I have never been involved in a fundraising initiative that has been this successful. The Sam Cioffi Student-Athlete Wellness program will enhance and elevate the student-athlete experience through supporting them in the areas of mental and physical wellness, academic excellence, and personal and career development. This fund will allow us to be intentional in programming for student-athletes with resources and life skills development to help them navigate the pressures, demands and opportunities they encounter as Vikings. Programming will include speakers, workshops, individual and team sessions, and on-line educational tools.
Funding will also help with the construction of the Sam Cioffi Student-Athlete Wellness Center, which will serve as a hub for programming and have dedicated office space for mental health counseling as well as a resource area with information on fentanyl awareness and alcohol and drug education.
"Sam was proud of his tattoo that said, 'let them know you passed this way once,'" stated Sally Cioffi. With this fund and center named in his memory, everyone will be reminded that he passed this way. This loss has been devastating and we will do all we can to prevent another family from going through it. We want Sam's legacy to live on and his story to continue to help save lives. We are proud to be able to honor his memory while supporting the student-athletes who will come after him and represent Salem State University in their athletic and academic pursuits."
2023 Sam Cioffi Memorial Lacrosse Tournament Photo Gallery