In the aftermath of freshman defenseman Jeremy Huber's sudden and inexplicable death on Jan. 26, Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala informed Robert Huber of the program's plans to honor his son by painting the No. 19 on the turf at Homewood Field, wearing No. 19 decals on the players' helmets, and preserving his locker in the Cordish Lacrosse Center on campus.
Pietramala then asked the elder Huber if there was anything else the team could do.
"I jokingly said, 'How about winning the NCAA championship?' Robert Huber recalled in an email. "And DAMN if they didn't almost do it!!"
The Blue Jays, the final unseeded team in the NCAA Division I tournament semifinals, fell to No. 6 seed Maryland and finished one game shy of playing for the national title. After Jeremy Huber's death related to complications from pneumonia and flu, the loss of a couple players to season-ending injuries, and a 4-6 start, the program ran off seven consecutive wins to capture the Big Ten Conference tournament championship and the automatic qualifier to the NCAA postseason.
Pietramala said he wouldn't wish the first three months of the season on anyone, but pointed out that as tough as that stretch was for Johns Hopkins, it paled in comparison to what Robert and Nancy Huber and son, Justin Huber, had to endure.
"I almost want to say they felt a responsibility, and certainly that should never be the case," Pietramala said. "They were an inspiration to me. They were worried about the team. There were several times where we conversed via texting, and they said, 'We're worried about you guys, and we hope you'll hang in there.' They were an inspiration to us. You want to talk about resilience. Our team was mentally tough this year, and they were a reflection of the Huber family. They provided us with the inspiration and the understanding and the belief that you can get through anything. They were walking, talking examples of that, and we were privileged to have them as examples."
The Huber family attended the Blue Jays' semifinal game against the Terps at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and Robert Huber said the trip was comforting for the family.
"They said that they wished they could've won just two more games, but we tried to reassure them that with the way they turned things around and the successes they had, all that was good for us," Huber wrote. "Many of them made a point of telling us that Jeremy was their inspiration, especially during the streak. We thanked them for that, too. We couldn't be prouder of what they accomplished this season and how they honored Jeremy's spirit and his time with the team. Everyone made us feel like a part of the Hopkins lacrosse family, and for that, we are so grateful."