This article addresses the issue of mental health and its content is intended for mature readers. Gordon’s story adresses mental illness, suicide, and perseverance. Ultimately, this article covers the struggles that Gordon endured and the extraordinary legacy that he left behind. If you need help, call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat to speak with a counselor, or schedule a meeting with a school counselor.
Born in 1988, Gordon James Corsetti grew up with his sister Caitlin, and parents Lou and Mary Jo in Atlanta, Georgia. Moving from New Jersey to Atlanta was a significant change in Gordon’s life. His father, a figure in the growth of Georgia lacrosse to this day, established Atlanta Youth Lacrosse. Gordon claimed that he had many valuable experiences and fantastic memories from just a dirt field. Gordon also participated in many different forms of martial arts. Growing up, Gordon felt as if he didn’t belong in school and didn’t feel connected with his peers. His output was always physical activity as it allowed him to improve his state of mind. Gordon attended Pace Academy, participated in the lacrosse program at Pace, and graduated in 2006. Current Pace Academy Upper School Dean and Biology teacher, Ben Ewing, was a teammate and friend of Gordon. Following a Pace lacrosse practice, Gordon was sitting on the back of his truck with a look of despair. Ewing approached Gordon and asked him two questions, “Hey, you okay?” and after a brief silence Ewing asked “How can I help?” Those questions and the support that Ewing showed, prevented Gordon’s attempt to take his own life.
“Thank God for lacrosse,” wrote Gordon, in an article published by US Lacrosse Magazine, Gordon spoke about his mental health journey. Gordon became a referee in the state of Georgia and went above and beyond to spread his passion to others and grow the game of lacrosse in the South. “Gordon was always very professional and was always concerned with helping other refs understand lacrosse to grow the game in the South,” said Pace Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Chase Winter. “He was wonderful and what he did with the ref organization was incredible.” Nevertheless, Gordon impacted many beyond just teaching them about the game; he taught them about the importance of togetherness. “He showed that it’s about the community you leave behind and he encourages us to help the ones we consider family in any way possible, ” said Winter.
“As a consequence of his depression he struggled to find joy in most day to day things so in high school he stuck to lacrosse,” Ewing said. “In college we both were recruited to play lacrosse and he got up to college and realized that his experiences as a player were less than he wanted it to be. He dropped off the team and ended up leaving school to try and find his own identity and that’s when he had started to find his way out of a serious battle of depression; he started writing and he started creating.” Gordon began to create for others; he would publish videos on youtube and that’s where he found a place of belonging. “My third year teaching at the Asheville school, I was walking through the student commons one day and I heard Gordon’s voice coming out of a computer screen of one of the sophomores,” Ewing said. He explained that this experience was so amazing for him because he saw that a friend of his had affected a student of his. “Often, people get really focused on the right avenue to figure out what they want to do and become qualified to do that; Gordon created his own avenue,” Ewing said. “[He didn’t] need others permission to execute [his] vision, and that’s where I think Gordons impact came.”
Gordon claimed that lacrosse was his output for everything and his meditation. Similarly, Pace lacrosse players today experience that feeling of output and meditation as well. “For me being out there is a nice way to let everything out and enjoy myself and let go of everything else going on in my life,” said Senior Benjamin Ganz.
In late 2021, Gordon’s battle against mental health took a hard turn, and Gordon took his own life.
Ewing has led a meeting with the Pace lacrosse team every year since Gordon’s passing to remind them of the severity of mental health and the special opportunities that they have in their relationships with each other. “The bonds I’ve created during my four years playing lacrosse at Pace have been because of the great people involved with the team both in the coaching and in my teammates,” said Pace lacrosse alumni Alex Trujillo. Following the meeting, Pace lacrosse players develop their character and bond as a family. “I feel especially connected to the guys on the team after hearing the story of Gordon,” explained Senior Akshay Tolmare. “It hit close to home due to him going to Pace which made me want to perform at the best of my ability to honor him,” said sophomore Davis Beauchamp. “It means leaving a legacy and honoring a player of the Pace lacrosse team,” said Senior Sam Rosetti.
During the Pace lacrosse season, the men’s team will compete in the Gordon Corsetti tournament to honor him. This event is hosted by the Fellowship Christian School where Gordon’s father, Lou Corsetti coaches. “I’m looking forward to playing a game that means so much more than any other game we play,” said Senior Tate O’Leary. “It’s really nice to play for someone who has such a great legacy. The tournament will take place on Mar. 15. “We’re excited to play in the tournament for a cause and it’s great,” said Winter.
Following his college life, Gordon started an online page called the Gordon Corsetti Mental Agility Foundation where he shared his experiences with mental health. “From a legacy standpoint Gordon just had the gift of speech and writing and he was open about what he had,” said Lou Corsetti. Gordon strived to help others even despite his own struggles. When he was in a mental hospital at Emory, Gordon reached out to a student at Marist to help that student through their journey. The actions of helping others were a key part of Gordon’s story and the legacy that he left behind. “He left at 34, but he left a huge dent in the universe and that keeps me going and I’m going to talk about [his story] any time I can,” said Lou Corsetti. To this day, many are affected by Gordon’s online page. He provided a place for people to read and learn from his experiences and his page has helped a tremendous amount of people around the world.
To this day, many mourn the loss of Gordon, but the legacy of Gordon Corsetti lives on. “Gordon Corsetti has left a legacy on Pace as being a leader and role model,” said Senior Drew Thompson. “Every game we play, we play for his legacy.”