From 2016-19, Cameron Herbert spent his summers working as a lifeguard at Loeffler Pools in Maplewood, N.J. Earlier today, the junior midfielder and computer science major at Bellarmine University came to the rescue in another way. 

From the very top of the press box at Five Star Stadium in Macon, Ga., Herbert offered fans their first live Division I college lacrosse action since last March. Through a Periscope stream he filmed on his iPhone, he chronicled Bellarmine’s 9-7 win over Mercer. In doing so, he also brought the lacrosse community together at a time when few things have become more important than connection. 

“I mean, this is something I [originally] was just doing for the team parents,” Herbert said on the Bellarmine team bus shortly after it departed for the 500-mile trip back to Louisville. “But the fact that so many people joined and were being super grateful, I’m very thankful for that.”

Very grateful for all the love everyone is showing I appreciate it. Just wanted to stream the game for our team parents had no idea it was gonna blow up like this

— Cameron H. (@camh403) January 30, 2021

After US Lacrosse Magazine’s Matt Hamilton authored a story yesterday describing the hope that the Bellarmine and Mercer head coaches felt for the return of lacrosse, there was still an obvious downside. 

“And no one will see it,” one Twitter user commented. 

Or so we thought. 

“I’ll be live-streaming on Periscope from the stands,” Herbert replied on Twitter. 

The announcement was met with near universal approval. The Post Game Podcast, which extended an invite after the game for Herbert to come on the show, responded with a GIF of the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl singing, “There goes my hero.” 

Sidelined since earlier this month with a bout of mononucleosis that required an emergency trip to the hospital, Herbert still made the trip with the team and planned to film the game after one of the managers tested positive for COVID-19. After the mother of senior attackman Landon Trout and other parents expressed an interest in watching the game live, though, Herbert again took up the call. 

“Cam volunteered to do it,” Bellarmine coach Andrew Whitley said. “Since he was willing to do it, if for some reason something happened to Mercer’s copy of the game, we’d have our copy. It turned out to get a little life of its own and that’s great. He’s a really personable kid, and I’d love to hear his commentary. I’m interested to hear if he has a future in broadcasting.” 

The first quarter had more than 4,000 viewers, and Herbert’s feed soon featured notable names like Chaos LC goalie Dillon Ward chiming in. “Drake Porter just joined,” Herbert said on the stream, followed by an expletive, when he saw the name of the All-American Syracuse goalie. 

“He was a high level two-way player,” Columbia (N.J.) High School coach Dylan Heningburg said of Herbert, who also ran track at Columbia. “Fastest guy on the field at all times. If we had a better record, he would’ve gotten more recognition on the all-state level.”

In the past couple hours, Herbert has received no shortage of it. 

“You’re the real MVP,” one commenter wrote in the live stream chat. 

While Herbert at first let the sounds of the game suffice as a backdrop, he soon started offering a play-by-play breakdown from behind the white neck gaiter he was wearing adorned with a Bellarmine Knight logo. 

“My camera was a little shaky, so I figured I'd just call some names and help out a little bit,” he said.  

There were compliments (“Ohhhh, good move.”), criticisms (“We’re just freelancing right now.”) and even personnel updates to explain the Knights’ 1-for-18 outing at the faceoff dot (“We’ve only got one healthy faceoff guy … J.T. Simonton is out with COVID.”) 

Despite their deficit in that category and a 4-2 deficit entering the second half, the Knights made the most of their opportunities, many of which came from Mercer’s 31 unforced turnovers. The Bears were missing a key contributor in Sean Goldsmith, who tallied 34 goals and eight assists through seven games in 2020. A four-goal run to start the third quarter put the Knights ahead before Mercer pulled even with 1:27 to play in the quarter.  

The Knights surged ahead again with early goals in the fourth quarter by fifth-year defenseman Eric Rubak, who scored twice, and sophomore midfielder Benny O’Rourk. Senior attackman Brayden Brown prevented another comeback when he put the Knights ahead 9-7 with 3:55 left to play. 

“Let’s goooo!” Herbert said when greeting many of his teammates on the field after the game.

“I didn’t know if we were even going to have a season this spring,” he explained afterwards on the bus while many of his teammates watched the movie “Blades of Glory.” 

“It was horrible not knowing if we were ever going to get to play again. The whole time we were driving down here and even when we went on the field, it was such an amazing feeling to be back.”  

While Herbert hopes to make contributions on the field soon, Whitley said they might have to plug him into the booth to offer commentary during their next game at home against Utah. And who knows what could come of it? Herbert is looking for a summer internship, after all. 

“Cam may be turning himself into John Madden here before we know it,” Whitley said. 

Matt Hamilton contributed to this story.