Always With Her

On this anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedies, we are republishing this story from May 2023, on Maryland All-American lacrosse player and Athletes Unlimited Defensive Player of the Year Abby Bosco, who lost her father on Sept. 11, 2001.

Every time Abby Bosco raises her lacrosse stick in the draw circle, her eyes dart to the letters "RB" written on her wrist, instantly instilling a sense of calm.

The "RB" initials are in memory of Bosco's father, Richard Bosco, who tragically passed away in the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center. 

Being just two years old when he died, Bosco, unfortunately, didn't get much time with her dad. Nevertheless, his memory and character are still with her today in how she carries herself both as a person and as a standout lacrosse player.

For that reason, Bosco chooses to write his initials on her wrist before every game, a newly integrated change from her previous lacrosse days at Suffern High School and the University of Pennsylvania.

"Before I got to Maryland, I would always write his initials on the bottom of my cleat or on the top of my stick," Bosco said. "But when I came over to Maryland, I decided to write it somewhere actually on myself, just so I can always feel him and his presence."

"Now, when I'm holding my stick and setting up for the draw circle, I see it perfectly," Bosco added. "It's this big RB on my wrist. And it just lets me know that he's always here and that he's always got me."

Beyond the initials and their meaning, Bosco continues to live her life with the help of several long-lasting lessons imparted from her dad and his character—despite not knowing him for long. 

One of her favorite stories her mom tells her about Richard was how he and his friends would bike from Hoboken to Spring Lake—an over 60-mile ride that would take nearly a day to complete. When the group would arrive at Richard's parent's house in Spring Lake after a whole day of riding, most of them would collapse on the ground out of tiredness. 

Not Richard, however. Once he got off his bike, his first question was always, "Who's up for some basketball now?"

For Bosco, that story is a perfect summation of her father—a man who attacked everything head-on and could power through any adversity. It's also a lesson she carries closely, especially on the lacrosse field. 

"It's a reminder to me to always keep going," Bosco said. "Having that mentality when I play helps me so much. When the going gets tough, that voice inside of me always reminds me to keep pushing on and to be that person that my teammates can lean on."

Those lessons and reminders have more than paid off. With their help, Bosco has turned herself into a household name and arguably the best defender in the nation. She leads the team with 40 groundballs and 40 caused turnovers and is second with 91 draw controls.

The 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and 2022 USA Lacrosse First Team All-American does more than get big stops, however. The Boss is also one of the team's three captains and is the heart and soul of the defense. 

The constant positive energy she carries herself with as a leader is another quality she got from her father.

"Everything he did, he did it 110 percent and he always had fun while doing it," Bosco said. "He's always been described as a spitballer and a bundle of energy and just a really positive person who made the people around him happy. And that's all stuff I try to bring to my friends and my teammates too."

Another of Bosco's favorite stories about Richard reflects that sentiment and illustrates his lasting effect on the people he interacted with. 

As her mom, Traci, tells it, while he was alive, Richard would constantly stop by this one store in his office building and tell the employees there that he would buy Traci a gift. Unfortunately, Richard passed away before he could actually buy the gift for Traci. However, the employees there were so charmed and impacted by Richard as a person that, after he passed, they collectively bought Traci a big serving bowl with the quote, "Live well, love much, laugh often" engraved on it.

"I just found out about that story this summer and I think it just embodies him," Bosco said. "That's kinda how I've tried to live out my life from that point, especially with this being my last season."

Now heading into her final NCAA Tournament run, Bosco is acutely aware of how little time she has left as a Terp. 

"No matter what way you look at it, the most possible games we can have left are five," she said. "The furthest I can extend my stay is to Memorial Day Weekend which is only two-and-a-half weeks away. So, I'm definitely trying to soak in every minute until then."

For Bosco, her two years of a Terp have been everything she wanted and more after coming over from Penn. 

"It's been a dream come true," Bosco said. "When I entered the portal, I didn't fully understand that this would be one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. The past two years have exceeded any and all expectations."

"Getting to play for legendary coaches and a historic program behind some of the best to ever play the game, that was always the dream for the little Abby that picked up a stick and it's been even better than I ever dreamed of," she added. "I can't say enough about the past two years and what they've meant to me."

As Bosco says, the two seasons in College Park have been nothing short of a dream—but there is one thing she's still searching for. 

"A National Championship would mean everything to me," she said. "When I committed here, the main goal I had in mind was to win one. Playing here is a dream, but winning a National Championship is the ultimate dream. It would truly be a fairytale ending."

Bosco and the Terps will take the first steps toward that dream when they open NCAA Tournament play on Friday at 5 pm against Drexel at James Madison. 

And as Bosco steps out on the field for one of her last few times in a Maryland uniform, her dad will be with her through it all. 

"I'll definitely be leaning on every lesson I've learned in life for this. This is everything I've ever wanted and it's what I grew up playing for, I'm just going to appreciate the little things and have as much fun with it as I can."