Former Knights’ standout remembered

On Jan. 23 DeOrsey passed away suddenly at his Florida home. The months that followed have seen an outpouring of sentiment and support in honor of the former Knights’ star.

‘‘I’m a very blessed to have the relationship I had with my son,” DeOrsey’s father Robert said. ‘‘He was my best friend and I got to see a lot of him. However the emotion that has come after his death has amazed his mother [Anne] and I.”

Pete Medd’s eyes light up when musing about DeOrsey. They were best friends and longtime teammates. In 1993, the duo guided Middletown to a state championship. Both attended Towson University where they continued their careers and led the Tigers to the 1998 Colonial Athletic Association regular season title. Medd speaks of DeOrsey as a brother and can’t help but laugh when reminiscing about their friendship or his favorite story.

‘‘ He always wore his socks up in basketball, before it was fashionable or cool to do that,” Pete Medd said.

‘‘One time against Walkersville he told a couple of his he was going to dunk a basketball. I told him no way you’re going to do that. He went up on break away and hung himself on the front of the rim [and fell] back on his butt. Typical Matt, he got the ball two seconds later and hit a 3-pointer.”

Medd spoke at his friend’s funeral, but he wanted to do more. DeOrsey passed away just two days before his 31st birthday. He is survived by his wife Kimberly, stepson Tyler Van Horne, daughter Elle and newborn son Remington. The young family’s future security became one of Medd as well as his father Randall’s top priorities.

Soccer presented them an opportunity to contribute. The Medds are part of Crystal Palace F.C. USA—a Baltimore subsidiary of the historic London club. Randall is the outfit’s chairman, Peter its president and co-manager.

Palace USA competes in the United Soccer League’s Second Division. After DeOrsey’s passing, the Medds approached first-year Second Division club Real Maryland about instituting an aggregate rivalry cup between the neighboring outfits.

On April 5, the inaugural installment of the DeOrsey Maryland Cup took place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown. Festivities began with DeOrsey’s parents, who were also presented with a Real Maryland pennant, awarded both clubs with a cup. Whichever side tallies fewer goals during their three overall meetings will have to surrender their trophy. Real Maryland took an early lead, defeating Palace 1-0. All proceeds from the event benefited DeOrsey’s family.

‘‘My main thing is his name cane live.” Pete Medd said. ‘‘He was a great person and a great person from this area.

After the contest, Pete encouraged DeOrsey’s parents, who now reside in Port St. Lucie, FL, not to return home on April 6 as planned. Towson was holding its annual soccer banquet and the program’s alumni had created an award for current team member.

‘‘There is just unbelievable stuff going on,” Robert said.

Van Horne plays club soccer for the Palm Beach Soccer Academy. DeOrsey, a Vice President of the PBSA, was putting together a substantial tournament for the organization. When he passed, it seemed DeOrsey’s project wouldn’t come to fruition.

Parents of other Academy players made sure it did. On April 25th, over 50 teams from around Florida will gather to compete in the inaugural Matt DeOrsey Palm Beach Soccer Cup.

DeOrsey was a sales executive for the Ginn Company in Port St. Lucie. On May 12, his former employer will hold a pro-am golf tournament at their Tesoro Club in DeOrsey’s adopted hometown.