Lucas: UVa’s #1 Football Fan

Meet Lucas. Lucas is 13 years old, has an older sister, an amazingly caring mother and two grandparents. Lucas lives in Buena Vista, Virginia, which he very cautiously warns me about: “My mom tells people, if you blink you’d miss BV.” Oh, and I did mention he is probably one of the most inspirational people that I have ever met? Lucas has now bravely powered through 8 surgeries, helping him battle through Cerebral Palsy, an inoperable cyst in his brain, and stomach problems that may be the onset of Crohn’s disease. However, nothing will stop Lucas from having the most contagious energy I have ever felt, as he says, “its okay, because I just try to live each day with a positive attitude.”  
 
Aside for a love for life, God and his family, Lucas has a very strong love. A love that particularly drew my interest in getting to know him. Lucas maybe…no definitely is…the biggest UVA football fan that I have ever had a chance to encounter. His mother, Lisa Bolen, proudly tells me that Lucas has walked on the field with the team every game since he was 5 years old. This type of dedication cannot go unrecognized, and the football team has done nothing less than shower Lucas with love and appreciation for his support. I had an amazing opportunity to get to know this inspirational boy, so I asked him a few questions so that we could learn about who Lucas really is…
 
Q: When was the first time you realized your love for UVA football?
 
L: Actually when I was 3; my Paw Paw used to let me watch UVA football on TV and I started hearing about Wali Lundy.  I remember telling my mom and Paw Paw that one day I wanted to run like Wali for touchdowns.  My Mimi knew a friend who knew Gerry Capone over at the McCue and he arranged for Wali, Mike Johnson, Kwa Kou Robinson, and Tony Franklin to come surprise my family when I first had to go to Dr. Jane, Jrs. Office.  They surprised me with my own #33 jersey and a helmet and some other stuff. I knew then that I would always love them just for that simple thing they did for me! After meeting Wali, I started meeting other guys like Marques “Biscuit” Hagans, who today is my hero! You see, even after graduating, so many of the UVA guys continued to keep in touch with me and my family.  Jason Snelling, Keenan Carter, Deyon Williams, Mike Johnson, all these guys keep in touch, but Marques never forgot about me at all! When he came back last year to the games, he would come get me, take me on the field with him, and sit with me in the stands…that’s why he’s my big brother!
 
Today, my love for the new ones and old ones gets stronger and stronger! They are my family…my brothers!
 
Q: What would you say was one of your most memorable football games?
 
This year for my 13^thbirthday, my mom took me over the first open practice.  Not even knowing that my mom had talked to Marques, he had me go out after practice and the team sang to me for my birthday.  After singing, Coach London came up and wished me a “happy birthday” and then said he had something important to ask me: “I would like for you to write my first team speech this year.  Do you think you can do that for me?”  I didn’t even know what to say, but I did it! Being a 13 yr.old writing something for a very special man and team…how privileged I was!
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Q: Who is your biggest inspiration on the field?
 
There is not a big inspiration because I feel like each and every one of them has inspired me to live my life with dreams and with God in my life.  Every one of those guys are my brothers. I know that there are several that chat a lot with me on Facebook or when I’m at the games at the Wahoo Walk, but all of them are close to me.
 
Q: What would be your biggest advice to me on a bad day?
 
If you were struggling with something; I’d tell you to just let God handle it because He’s always got your back no matter what!
 
My advice that my mom tells me all the time: don’t sweat the things we can’t control; just live each day to the best you can!
 
 
Q: What is your biggest dream you hope to accomplish?
 
First of all, my dream is to be a part of UVA football someday. I know I won’t be able to play or go to school there, but hopefully one day I can do something to be a part of the best team ever!
 
My second dream would be to write a book about my relationship I’ve had with the greatest groups of men on earth…I’d title it: “Keep Running” because that’s what Wali wrote on the very first cap I got from the team!
 
Q: If you could convince every kid your age to believe in one thing; what would it be?
 
Believe in God; put him first because He gets through the tough times in your life. Believe that your family is the next best thing too!  
 
Q: If you could travel to one place in the world; where would it be and why?
 
I’d like to take my mom somewhere she’d like to go because she so deserves it for taking care of me and my sister.  She has given up so much and has worked three jobs to help me and my sister.  She never asks for anything for her and never complains that she doesn’t have things; she’s like my grandma! I’d like for one day to have someone grant my wish…I wish for my mom and my sissy and my Paw Paw and Maw Maw to get a trip somewhere nice and relaxing because they have never left me when I was going through all my health problems.
 
I want to others to know that no matter what life hands you…you can always count on family and friends to get you through it….without my family and without my UVA brothers; my life would not be what it is now!!!
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As Lucas mentioned, he recently wrote a speech to the team, that I could not help but to share with our readers. Lucas gives amazing words of wisdom on three very important rules of life….to Live, to Laugh and to Love. Take the time out of your hectic day, to read a speech that should teach all of us a little about how to really enjoy a great quality of life.
 
Live…..Laugh….Love
Lucas Bolen
When my mom and I left Dr. Jane, Jr.’s office a couple of months ago, my mom and I decided that we were going to live by her words she has in our dining room: Live, Laugh, and Love so I decided to speak to you guys this evening from those three words and my heart…
 
To Live
Life is a game so live for today…never look back on the past because you can’t do anything about it!  God never promised us that life would be very easy, but it’s how we live each day that matters.  Live because God gives you that choice to get up every morning! Live, knowing there are others who aren’t given that chance or aren’t able to do the things that you can each day…so live knowing there’s somebody who would like to be in your shoes….even if it’s just for a moment!
Live because you are making a difference in somebody’s life…even if you don’t think so! Live for every moment because you may miss out on one of the greatest things if you give up!  Live even when you feel defeated; God always has your back!
 
To Laugh
Laugh…because as my mom says…”it takes less energy to smile than it does to frown.”  Laughter makes our hearts full of joy so when you feel down or your brother does….let them know you are there and that things will get better!  And when you guys feel like the world is tumbling down on you and you want to throw in the towel…smile and keep running…you don’t want the devil to win! Laughter is always the best medicine for anything…Laugh even in the worst of times because it will help you guys learn to become better men on and off the field!
 
To Love
Sometimes life is hard especially for kids like me who don’t understand things and why people have to be cruel, but ALWAYS remember that love is the greatest gift of all! Love each other…why? Because it doesn’t matter if you are green, polka dot, zebra print…you are all brothers! And brothers stick together through thick and thin! When you guys feel as though the sun isn’t going to shine…lean on each other! There is someone who loves you more than you know! Just like the song: “Lean on Me” when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on…that’s love!
Even when the last second of that clock ticks away and you came up short; love your coaches because they “believe in you all” just like me! Your coaches know you better than what you think!  They give up a great deal to be a part of your life everyday, so love them for being a part of your life!  Love your parents, brothers/sisters, and other family members; they are the ones who have made great changes for you to be right where you are tonight!
And lastly; continue to love kids like me and Mason who is now watching over you from above!  I’ll probably never get to put on an orange and blue uniform like you guys and know that feeling…but I do know one thing…
You guys have meant more to me than anyone can imagine…you all have taught me how to live life with a brotherhood! My heart bleeds blue and orange…I’ve not missed a WAHOO walk since I was 7 years old! I’ve cried just as some of you have and not because we may have lost, but because of how the fans left or booed you all…I’ve had some of the greatest gifts given to me that I can remember stories about almost everything! But the most important thing that I will always have to carry with me is the “true love” of a team!
No one can take that away…Because of you all, I’ve been able to live life everyday with a new hope and faith! When you all tell me to never give up…I don’t!  Take each day and tell someone how much you appreciate them, love them, and what they have meant in your life. Because of each of you today, I stand a proud 13 year old to say, I’m a #1 fan of the greatest group of guys in the world…my brothers!  Always be proud of wearing the blue and orange…I know I am!

In closing: Thank you guys for being a part of my life and my family’s as well! To Coach London and Coach Poindexter: thank you for being two great men in my life!  And as for all the new coaches; I’m so glad to know that this team has great coaches behind them all the way… And to my dearest loving brother, Marques Biscuit Hagans…God sent me a wonderful man in my life to guide and love me in a special way.  You will always have a very special place in my life and my heart! I couldn’t ask for a more perfect brother…I love you , man!
Just remember this season…
To LIVE…LAUGH… And LOVE!
God Bless each of you in a special way! GO HOOS!
 
YOUR #1 FAN!
Lucas