By Nancy K. Crevier

Will Mahony comes from a family of athletes.

The Newtown High School student is active in the football and lacrosse programs at the high school while his brother, Ben, an eighth grade student at Newtown Middle School and sister Molly, a sixth grader at Reed Intermediate play soccer and lacrosse.

Three kids times three sports times years of involvement equals a multitude of outgrown sports footwear.

“We had so many cleats lying around at home, I knew we had to do something with them,” said Will. What he decided to do is to “Lace ‘em Again,” a project this young man will showcase on Saturday, June 17, from 10:30 am to 5 pm at the first annual Alumni Lacrosse Tournament at the Blue and Gold Stadium of Newtown High School.

The sophomore will collect used – but usable – soccer and football cleats.

With “Lace ‘em Again” he is hoping to collect 40 to 50 pairs of gently used footwear to donate to the Bridgeport Youth Soccer Association. The association would like to offer the cleats free of charge to families at their June 26 registration in Bridgeport.

The project got a jump-start through the generosity of the “Pass Back” program run by Newtown resident Lori Hoagland at the Memorial Day weekend soccer tournament. “Pass Back” collects used uniforms and cleats to ship to various countries in need around the world, but this year Ms Hoagland donated the cleats to Will’s new venture.

Will plans to collect cleats twice a year from now until his graduation in 2008, once each fall and spring at the end of the playing seasons.

“I love sports,” said Will, “so this is something I thought I would enjoy doing.”

Football and soccer cleats only in good, wearable condition, with laces when possible, can be brought to the Blue and Gold Stadium Saturday, June 17. A successful project could mean over 200 pairs of cleats going to various youth programs in the state by the time Will graduates.

So, “Lace ‘em Again” and let those retired cleats play once more.

Any Newtown lacrosse alumni, male or female, who would like to play can get more information and register on-line at www.newtownboyslax.com. Registration will also be taken on that day at 11 am. The schedule is calling for a young alumni versus the Newtown boys varsity game, a young alumni versus Newtown girls varsity game, and open male alumni game. There will also be raffles and refreshments all day.