The number 15 was of great significance when Newtown High School’s field hockey team hosted Brookfield under the lights at Blue & Gold Stadium. The game took place, appropriately, on September 15 as it was a 15 For Life Foundation fundraiser game.

In 2021, Newtown’s Jeff Kavovit’s brother and lacrosse standout Rob Kavovit took his life at the age of 45 and left behind his wife and two children after battling silent depression. This tragedy prompted the family to start 15 For Life, which encourages people to shed the shame around needing help and strives to open dialogue and normalize the conversation around mental health by creating awareness, so that their loss may help others.

Already a fixture in the Newtown High lacrosse programs, 15 For Life branched out and joined forces with the Nighthawk field hockey program after NHS lacrosse/field hockey player Kaitlyn Doyle, 15 For Life ambassador for the lacrosse team, suggested the crossover into her fall sport.

The number 15 is symbolic for the Kavovit family — Rob wore the number to represent the one girl and five boys that made up their family. 15 For Life Foundation, on its website, invites people to join its movement to raise awareness about depression and mental health by pledging 15 seconds of their day.

“I love the message — it’s always resonated deep with me,” said Doyle, who noted the final score was a sign from Jeff Kavovit’s brother given Newtown defeated Brookfield 5-1 and the scoreboard read one and then five with the visiting team listed first. “He was with us today.”

“It’s nice the grass roots of lacrosse are now spreading to other sports,” said Kavovit, who was on hand with field hockey parents raising money for the foundation.

The expansion into more sports will continue; 15 For Life Foundation has a day planned with the NHS girls’ and boys’ basketball teams when they play at home on Saturday, December 20.

Visit 15forlife.org for more information.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.