Moon Township, Pa. — The Robert Morris University men's lacrosse program, under the direction of 10th-year head coach Andrew McMinn, has announced that it will retire the jersey No. 43 in honor of the late Jack Toomb.
"Every day that Jack donned the No. 43, he was a constant representative of what it means to be a RMU lacrosse player," McMinn said. "His positive energy was contagious and was never compromised. Regardless of the circumstances, Jack was going to have a smile on his face, give 100 percent, and not sweat the little things! He approached everything in life this way, and it is a big reason why he will always be so loved. It's extremely important to our program to continue to honor his legacy as a person and player in every way that we can. Retiring his number is just one of those ways, and we will continue to embody his spirit in everything we do."
Toomb passed away in March 2020 at the age of 23. He played at RMU for four seasons (2016-19) and was a cornerstone of the program's 2018 and 2019 Northeast Conference (NEC) championship teams as a long-stick midfielder and defender. Following graduation, he returned to his high school alma mater, Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, to serve as an assistant lacrosse coach.
A three-time All-NEC Second Team selection, Toomb ranks third in program history in games played (65), fourth in ground balls (210) and fifth in ground balls per game (3.23) and caused turnovers (64). He recorded at least 44 ground balls in each of his four seasons, establishing a season best of 68 in 2017, and he eclipsed 20 caused turnovers with 21 as a senior.
This past July, Toomb's former teammate Tyson Gibson wore 43 and his friend's last name on the back of his jersey during the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) season with the Philadelphia Barrage.
"The decision to wear '43 Toomb' on the back of my jersey is one of the few ways I can honor (Jack) considering everything going on," Gibson said in July. "This summer, Jack would have had the opportunity to play in the MLL, and by wearing his number and name, it allows me to give him the opportunity to win a championship and play the game he loves. It's one of the small ways I can honor Jack and will continue to live life with him by my side."
Toomb was a key component in the Colonials' rise to national prominence, as he and the rest of the class of 2019 captured the program's first two NEC tournament championships and subsequent NCAA tournament berths. He provided seven ground balls, a caused turnover and an assist in RMU's back-to-back title game triumphs against Saint Joseph's (2018) and Hobart (2019) and tallied three ground balls and a caused turnover in the 2018 NCAA tournament win at Canisius. Toomb closed his collegiate career by participating in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Senior All-Star Game, becoming one of 10 Colonials to receive that honor.
There will be a formal jersey retirement ceremony scheduled in 2021.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Alex Heger, RMU Goaltender from 2016-19
"Jack and I actually knew each other before we got to RMU. We played against each other in high school and even on the same club team in the summers. At school, Jack was more than just one of my teammates – he was like a brother to me and my best friend. We were roommates our sophomore years and housemates along with Tyson (Gibson) our junior and senior years. The three of us basically did everything together, and Jack meant the world to both of us. He was the life of any gathering and always had a smile that was infectious. I know I can speak for myself, Tyson, or any member of the RMU Lacrosse family when I say that we are extremely honored and excited that the athletic department and program are going to retire his number. Jack will never be forgotten among the RMU community and his legacy will carry on, and I can't thank the program enough for honoring him in this way."
Ryan Smith, RMU Fifth-Year Attack
"Jack was more than a friend and a teammate – he was a brother. His personality just made everybody want to be around him as he was the kindest and most outgoing person. He always knew how to cheer you up if you were down, and always treated people with respect. I believe Jack will be remembered by how he treated people with respect, and just being one of the best people I have ever met. Jack's jersey being retired ensures that he will always be remembered by RMU Lacrosse past, present, and future."
Carson Kealey, RMU Senior Attack
"It's hard to try and put into words who Jack was and how much he meant to everyone in his life. He was the type of person that had an immediate impact on your life, he always made you feel important whenever you talked to him. He was the best kind of person, a great son, a fantastic brother, and an amazing teammate and friend. I wish I could better express who Jack was and the types of ways he positively changed both my life and many other peoples' lives. I'm so grateful to have been a part of his life and he was a part of mine. Jack and the Toomb family will always be a part of the RMU Lacrosse family, as well as mine."