On Friday, October 4th, Moravian alumnus Will Dadouris ‘20 presented $3,500 worth of equipment to the program through the company he started in high school, ReLax Collections. Dadouris donated men’s lacrosse sticks and heads to the university men’s lacrosse team.
Dadouris, who recently earned a Doctorate in Dentistry at Rutgers University, is a former men’s lacrosse goalkeeper for the Greyhounds. After leaving Moravian, he wanted to give back to his alma mater, and using his company was a perfect way to do that. The men’s lacrosse coach, Coach Dave Carty, had been in contact with Dadouris, who expressed interest in supporting the lacrosse program.
“I called up Coach Carty, and asked, ‘What do the guys want?’ And he said, ‘I think everyone could use a head [the end of the lacrosse stick], and all of the guys should get a complete stick,’” Dadouris said.
ReLax Collections refurbishes and then either sells or donates men’s lacrosse equipment to teams around the world. The company’s mission is to sell new and used lacrosse equipment to promote education. By allowing student-athletes the opportunity to acquire cheaper equipment, they are more likely to stay in their sport and want to stay in school.
After starting ReLax Collections during his freshman year of high school, the company has had time to flourish into the success it is today.
“I did a week trip to Jamaica and collected a bunch of gear…and everything started happening from there,” Dadouris said.
The company, which sells its sticks at about a fifth of the cost as most manufacturers, works to increase the number of players in the sport, not to make money. If the team purchased sticks on their own, it would have cost between $10,000- $15,000.
ReLax Collections separates the gear they collect into different categories of usable and worn-out gear. The usable gear is cleaned and separated into smaller categories of helmets, gloves, elbow pads, etc. The separation makes it easy for donations, like this one where Dadouris could grab what he needs from the pile and send it where it needs to go.
Anything the company can’t use, it sends to other companies or to people who collect vintage gear that can no longer be worn. Some gear even ends up in museums.
“We try to really throw out as little as possible, mainly because nothing in lacrosse is recyclable,” Dadouris said. “So all the shafts, all the helmets, they’re plastic that is going to just sit in landfills.”
Since its inception, the company has been able to save five full garbage trucks worth of gear and put it back on the field instead of a landfill. ReLax tries to make this a priority.
“We started designing our own [sticks], trying to figure out a way of getting sticks at an affordable price, and this spring, we’re finally able to make that happen,” Dadouris said.
Each Moravian men’s lacrosse player was given the option of a new stick and 1-2 heads.
ReLax Collections is currently working on creating and refurbishing women’s equipment, as well.
“We started the design process already because that’s free, and our designer volunteers his time,” Dadouris said.
“What’s nice about the women’s equipment is that it’s easier,” Dadouris said. “They only need sticks and goggles.”
Coach Carty was ecstatic about the donation.
“It’s really great that he is doing this,” Carty said.
Dadouris was grateful to give back to the community that provided him with so much. Although he graduated in three years, he was able to forge lifelong relationships.
“It’s amazing– the bonds I was able to make, both in school and on the team,” Dadouris said.
In thanks, the men’s lacrosse team signed an action shot of Dadouris, which he graciously accepted.
The men’s lacrosse team is set to begin their season on their home turf on Saturday, February 22nd against The United States Merchant Marine Academy, 1:00 p.m.
