« Lacrosse 2021

Charlie Bertrand

School
University of Virginia
Position
Attack
Major
Mechanical Engineering

Classroom

Bertrand, a graduate from Merrimack College in 2020, earned his degree in mechanical engineering. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in commerce at Virginia.

He is a two-time NCAA Elite 90 Award recipient for boasting the top grade point average at the NCAA Championship, earning the award in both 2018 and 2019.

Character

Bertrand is the consummate leader, evidenced by his two-time captaincy at Merrimack.

In his short time at Virginia after arriving, he earned a spot on the Leadership Council. Bertrand is looked upon for his gallant perspective, insight, and leadership.

He is a key component of the team’s Cultural Thursday’s, where Virginia Lacrosse’s team building is done by reading a book and breaking it down together in a learning environment. The team breaks into “families,” with each family discussing the book together. They eventually regroup as a whole, with each family reporting what resonated and what they found valuable.

Bertrand leads by example and speaks truth to power.

Community

Bertrand has been extremely active in the community, both before and after arriving at Virginia. He is heavily involved with Maureen’s Hope Foundation, which offers practical support and assistance to people facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis or other life altering diseases. Maureen’s Hope Foundation and Beads of Courage have partnered to offer ‘Carry A Bead’ kits, to have greater outreach for both patients and supporters. Bertrand is a Beads of Courage Ambassador for Maureen’s Hope Foundation.

He has brought his involvement with Maureen’s Hope Foundation to Virginia, and the team will bead at practice before a big game and then give that bead to a child in the hospital to add to their collection. These children get beads for every treatment they go through, and each player gets one bead to wear to help share their courage with them and give their support.

The program integrates the use of beads, the earliest art form known to humans, as visible, tangible symbols of human experiences that need and deserve to be expressed. Every time a bead is given, courage is honored, suffering is alleviated, resilience is strengthened, and the experience of human caring is affirmed.

Recently, Bertrand and Virginia reached out to David Alexander III, a terminally ill cancer patient through Beads of Couage. For a link to the story, please use: https://richmond.com/sports/college/for-a-high-school-lacrosse-player-stricken-with-cancer-game-day-at-uva-is-part/article_6f814719-e55b-5f21-bda4-6d4825a04244.html.

Competition

Bertrand is a two-time NCAA DII National Player of the Year, earning the honor in both 2018 and 2019. During those campaigns, he lead Merrimack to consecutive NCAA DII Championships, which was part of their rise to DI in 2020.

He appeared in 58 career games for Merrimack, tallying 274 total points between 210 goals and 64 assists.

In his first game for Virginia during 2021, Bertrand scored four goals and had two assists.