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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Reward Kosel at Playoff Game

May 11, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


Warren Kosel Sr. Cheers on the Rochester Knighthawks
Warren Kosel Sr. Cheers on the Rochester Knighthawks
(Rochester Knighthawks)

If you're looking for passion and dedication at a Rochester Knighthawks game, look no further than Section 113. That's where you will find Warren Kosel Sr. leading the chants for the past seven years, which is part of the reason why he was the Season Ticket Holder of the Game on Friday night.

"I love it, because I've been a season ticket holder for so long. It really makes me feel proud. I'm not just a season ticket holder because I love lacrosse. I'm a season ticket holder because I love this team and I want to see this team do well," he said. "I'm here for the long haul. As long as the Hawks are here, I'm at the games."

Known as "Papa K" by many members of the 7th man, Kosel has been around long enough to form relationships with countless fans in the arena as well as most of the Knighthawks' staff while becoming the unquestioned leader of his section. That explains why almost the whole section approached him and congratulated him after he received the team autographed lacrosse stick.

"I love 'em, it's a different kind of family," Kosel said about Section 113. "My son asks me why I don't get better seats, but you know, when you sit somewhere for a long period of time you get to know the people around you. They become your people, that's your section. I consider it my section. I tell the people when they sit down, 'If you're going to sit in this section you have to cheer, you have to get behind in this team.' I don't like people who sit in Section 113 and don't cheer. You're here to enjoy the game first of all, and secondly to help the team win."

With the support of fans like Kosel, the Knighthawks defeated the rival Buffalo Bandits 14-11 in the East Division Semifinals. It was the perfect game for Kosel to take home the honor, considering he is the most intense fan in the arena. That's especially true during games against the Bandits. That intensity and physicality is the reason Kosel has been involved with lacrosse since he played at Franklin High School and Monroe Community College as a defenseman. Kosel has been consumed by sports in Rochester since then, never missing a game for the local teams.

"I've always been in love with local sports, especially the Knighthawks and the Amerks," he said. "Some of these guys have two jobs because they don't do it for the money. They do it because they love it. These guys play their hearts out every night," Kosel said.

He even remembers attending Rochester Griffin games, who were a member of the original National Lacrosse League in 1974.

Kosel has always shared the experience with the people close to him. He brought his wife, Denise, and his sons Warren and Sam to Knighthawks and Amerks' games every weekend until they were old enough to get their own seats.

Denise passed away two years ago at age 51 due to multiple system atrophy, a rare disease that impairs the body's involuntary functions. She mainly attended Amerks' games with her husband before the Knighthawks came to town, but she enjoyed the games just as much as him.

The experiences at the games must have resonated with Warren Jr., who worked for the Knighthawks for five seasons before becoming the Manager of Communications for the Rochester Americans.

Warren Sr. is now retired after working at Kodak for 32 years, but if he could choose his next line of work it would be to work in the commissioner's office. He wants to push the National Lacrosse League to expand and gain popularity so that all the teams, especially the Knighthawks, can stick around for years to come.

"I want the best for the community and for them to get behind this team because I love this team and I appreciate what this team does for Rochester," Kosel said. "I appreciate even more what it does for lacrosse."

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Images from this story

Warren Kosel Sr. Cheers on the Rochester Knighthawks
Warren Kosel Sr. Cheers on the Rochester Knighthawks
 Warren Kosel Sr. Cheers on the Rochester Knighthawks
Warren Kosel Sr. Cheers on the Rochester Knighthawks
  



National Lacrosse League Stories from May 11, 2015


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