The Smithtown West Boys Lacrosse community is coming together in a powerful way—showing that the bonds built through sport extend far beyond the field.
During today’s game, players, families, and fans are rallying behind Jagger Rubio, a Smithtown West Class of 2020 graduate and former lacrosse player who is courageously battling a Grade 4 diffuse hemispheric glioma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
Jagger’s journey with lacrosse began at the youth level, continued through Great Hollow Middle School, and carried into the Smithtown West JV and Varsity programs, where he was a dedicated member for three years. Although his senior season was cut short due to COVID, his impact on the program and those around him has never faded.
Today, that same community is standing beside him.
Supporters are encouraged to wear grey in Jagger’s honor—transforming the game into something much greater than competition. It’s a moment of unity, awareness, and unwavering support for one of their own.
Since his diagnosis in September 2025, Jagger has undergone multiple brain surgeries and is currently enduring daily radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Through it all, he has shown remarkable strength, resilience, and positivity—continuing to inspire everyone around him.
The son of Tabatha and Steven Rubio, Jagger recently earned his master’s degree in accounting from Penn State University. He and his girlfriend, Sophia, had just begun an exciting new chapter in Manhattan, preparing to start their careers at PwC, when he received this life-changing diagnosis.
Even in the face of unimaginable challenges, Jagger continues to find light—sharing his passion for film through TikTok and his podcast, creating moments of connection and purpose during the hardest days.
As Jagger undergoes intensive treatment, his parents travel weekly from Long Island to Manhattan to be by his side. The ongoing costs of tolls, parking, lodging, and medical expenses—many not fully covered by insurance—continue to add up. Looking ahead, potential clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and UCLA may require extended travel and additional financial strain.
Today’s game is not just about raising awareness—it’s about showing up, standing together, and supporting Jagger and his family through every step of this fight.
Because when a community comes together like this, it reminds us all: no one fights alone.
Leave a Reply