MARIEMONT - A week after celebrating girls and boys state lacrosse championships at Mariemont High School, the man the titles were dedicated to died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Diagnosed in August 2016, Graham Harden, 52, former Mariemont girls head coach and boys assistant, was the ultimate Warrior and a model of toughness, inspiration and class for all of Mariemont and Terrace Park.
From Mariemont athletic director Tom Nerl:
"We lost a great friend in Graham Harden today after a long and courageous battle with ALS. Please joins us Sunday morning, June 13 at 11 a.m. at Kusel Stadium to celebrate the life and legacy of Graham Harden. Our hearts are broken, but we hope to fill Kusel Stadium to honor our coach, neighbor and friend. Please come in your GForce attire, LAX sportswear to TPEMS uniform."
Plans for any service will be posted on https:// www.facebook.com/gforcegameonals when available.
A presence never to be forgotten
Even in a motorized scooter, when he was allowed to come to games, Harden was the most influential person on the sidelines. Be it a glare or a nod of approval, he commanded instant respect.
He would drive his mini-vehicle up and down the sidelines, always keeping his sense of humor. As his speech began to leave him, he joked the referees were glad to no longer hear him.
A fierce competitor
ALS strikes in cruel fashion, eventually taking motor skills from the able-minded and able-bodied like Harden and Lou Gehrig. Hall of Famer Gehrig was 36 when diagnosed and lived two more years. Harden had ALS just shy of five years.
This season, Harden could no longer attend games in person as he required 24-hour care. He had a tracheotomy performed and needed a ventilator for breathing. He could still text, though, and sent this response Saturday, June 5, when congratulated for Mariemont's state championships.
"The kids put in the work," Harden texted through his communication system. The text ended with a fist bump. Harden attacked the disease with the intelligence and competitive nature of a decorated athlete, which he was. He was a member of the Connecticut Lacrosse Hall of Fame and played on an undefeated national champion at the University of North Carolina where he was named the NCAA's Outstanding Defenseman of the Year in 1991.
“You’ve got to be willing to compete,” Harden told the Enquirer in April 2017. “That’s why I said, ‘Game on, ALS! Let’s go!’ You can’t give in. Respect your competition, but go after your competition."
His family and friends supported him with Harden's foundation, GForce: Game On!, which helps with fundraising and educating people on ALS.
Mariemont senior Seth Greene helped raise funds for GForce: Game On! this past season by winning face-offs at a rate Harden would surely have approved.
The Mariemont legacy
As a coach, Harden was part of state championships in Connecticut, Georgia and at Mariemont. His son, Cole, played on the 2017 state championship team as Harden assisted head coach Peterson. Recently, Peterson arranged for Indiana Wesleyan to play at Mariemont. Cole Harden is on the IWU squad and the family bundled Graham up so he could watch his last game.
In spring 2018, Mariemont's girls were the Division II champions. Harden had stepped aside as head coach but assisted Kevin Ferry and was part of that year's celebration at Ohio Wesleyan standing under his own power at Selby Stadium.
A year later, Harden was again at Mariemont's Kusel Stadium, first using the motorized scooter. He said he wished it were faster so he could catch up to the referees quicker. His speech had thickened, but he still had plenty to say.
"I interact differently," Harden said in April 2019. "It's a lot more body language versus me speaking. They know when I'm happy and they know when I'm upset."
His lacrosse reputation spread everywhere. This spring when Bishop Watterson came from Columbus to play Mariemont, they made a special side trip to Harden's house, where they greeted the inspirational legend through a wave to his window.
Peterson and his wife frequently delivered meals to the Harden house where Peterson would run through game tape with him. Peterson and others noted that Harden could effectively communicate with his eyes.
"He was as sharp as ever," Peterson said.
The victory bell
Harden's memorial is at Mariemont's Kusel Stadium Sunday morning at 11. It's where Harden did his best and influential work. Most will remember Harden's presence on that turf clad in light blue and gold. Or when the sky is "Carolina blue" as he would say.
His presence will remain and he is now free of his physical limitations. Most will remember him every time Mariemont lacrosse rings their victory bell, which happens on a frequent basis.
In lieu of flowers, donations can go to:
1) Non-tax deductible: Graham Harden II Family Trust. Donate at gforcegameon.org or mail a check addressed to the Trust to P.O. Box 1411 Los Altos, CA 94023. All proceeds from these donations will be used to pay outstanding ALS medical bills.
2) Tax deductible: Mail check to Cincy Royals, 6875 Wyman Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45243. All proceeds from these donations will be used to establish a new boys and girls lacrosse scholarship at Mariemont High School in Graham's name. Please write Graham Harden Scholarship Fund in the memo field.
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