BUZZARDS BAY, Mass – On January 27^th, 2019, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Quincy, Massachusetts communities lost one of their own, Christopher McCallum, who tragically passed away at the age of 44 from injuries sustained while attempting to break up a fight outside of the Quincy American Legion Post. Chris left behind his wife, Kathy, and three children, Ryan, Christopher and Michael. Chris was a 1996 graduate of the Academy. While a Buccaneer he played football for the Buccaneers and was a captain in his senior season. In his memory, fellow Buccaneers that he went to Mass Maritime with and shared the football field with, including Adam Schmid, father of men's soccer TeamIMPACT team member Thomas Schmid, and Joe O'Malley, set up a flag football tournament which took place this past weekend at Clean Harbors Stadium.

Chris' friends and family welcomed 56 players, eight teams of seven, to Buzzards Bay. The group included Academy Alumni and North Quincy Alumni that played with McCallum. In total, there were 100 people in attendance including former Maritime Director of Athletics Bob Corradi, former football coach Don Ruggeri, and current men's soccer coach Greg Perry. Also in attendance was former athletic trainer Greg Folino as the volunteer EMT for the event.

The uniforms worn by the teams were the colors of his high school team, the North Quincy High School Raiders, and Buccaneers blue and gold. Each sporting his high school number, 66, or his Buccaneer number, 45.

"We all gathered to celebrate Chris' life and played on the same field that Chris did as a Captain and MMA Buc. Chris was the first person who reached out to congratulate me for being accepted to MMA back in 1995, and it was no coincidence he wore #45 for the Buccaneers and I wore #46, I really had a lot of respect for how he carried himself and how he looked out for others." Adam Schmid said.

His friends from North Quincy High School won the paddle trophy awarded to the winners of the tournament which was donated by Knot Your Average Joe Woodwork in Springfield, Virginia. In a heartwarming and classy move, the winning ream signed the paddle and presented it to Chris' wife Kathy and their children.

All proceeds raised at the event will go towards an education fund for the McCallum family.