An abridged story by Mary-Fran Bontempo

Luke Ronco was adopted through FOJ by the Gwynedd-Mercy Men’s Soccer team. In late November, Luke got some lousy news.  His tumor is growing again.  Needless to say, the coach and the team were devastated, but determined to find a way to cheer their teammate.  Then, the plan.  

With Luke’s 10th birthday coming up on December 10th, the coach, team and the extended Gwynedd Mercy family leaped into action.  The goal?  Make this the best birthday Luke had ever had.  Utilizing the internet, the news about Luke and his PEZ collection spread through multiple states, resulting in boxes and boxes of PEZ being donated for a major birthday surprise.

When all was said and done, over 500 PEZ collectibles were assembled in baskets and display cases.  Coach Bontempo called the Ronco family and invited them all to Gwynedd Mercy College for the school’s first Mercy Madness Rally—a celebration of basketball and fall sports, including soccer.  Luke would be introduced at the rally, and share dinner and some cake with his teammates.  At least that was what Coach told the Roncos.  

Once the players were called onto the basketball court, Coach Bontempo introduced Luke Ronco, the newest Griffin, to the crowded gym.  Students, faculty and members of all the teams present cheered while Luke answered questions posed to him by the coach about his PEZ obsession while his soccer teammates looked on.  

Meanwhile, behind the human screen of the very tall basketball team, the women’s soccer team helped assemble a mountain of baskets and gifts loaded down with PEZ candies, a cake in the center of the display.

Finally, Coach Bontempo informed Luke that somehow, the team had gotten hold of 500 PEZ dispensers and had no idea of what to do with them.  “What about me?” Luke asked.  “Well, I understand you’ve never dunked a basketball, have you?” coach asked.  “No, I haven’t,” Luke said, unsure of what was coming next.  “I’ll tell you what.  If you can dunk a shot, maybe you can have those PEZ,” coach said.  

Luke, well shy of dunking height, looked nervous.  “We’ll give you a little help,” coach said, pointing down the court to the two basketball players who had stepped up under the basket.  Luke, all smiles, ran through the gauntlet of his soccer team, high fiving into the waiting arms of two basketball players who hoisted him high.  He dunked that ball.

As the two young men lowered Luke to the ground, the remaining teams parted and Luke’s jaw dropped as his eyes came to rest on his enormous birthday pile of PEZ.  The entire gym erupted into applause and a spontaneous singing of happy birthday to one deliriously happy little boy surrounded by a deliriously happy soccer team.  Then, a victory lap around the gym, again to thunderous cheers and applause.  Finally when the gym festivities were concluded, we all, the entire Gwynedd Mercy family, had cake.  

Winning is a big deal, but that night, no scoreboard told the story.  The Gwynedd Mercy Men’s Soccer Team had a tough season on the field, and teammate Luke Ronco has some big challenges ahead.  But for one amazing night, Luke and his team were all champions.