Max Hartong ‘18 was a dreamer.
When there was something he wanted – whether it was receiving a scholarship to play Division I lacrosse, captaining the team, climbing Mt. Rainier twice, or attending Harvard Law School – he made it happen.
In November 2022, Max unexpectedly passed away after suffering critical medical complications that developed while competing in the Miami Iron Man competition. He left behind a loving wife, Taylor, three sisters, Mikaela, Cameryn and Chandler, and his parents, Bryan and Cindy, who have dedicated an endowed scholarship award in his honor.
During his time at Jacksonville University, his character, ambition and passion left a lasting impact on everyone around him from classmates and teammates to coaches. Following Max’s death, his parents were blown away by the overwhelming support from Max’s JU lacrosse family and the impact he had on them in his time at JU.
“Most often, you will hear how a coach impacted the life of a player. In some special instances, a player can impact a coach beyond their wildest imagination. That is who Max was to me,” said Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach John Galloway, who coached Max for two seasons. “People like Max make our job worth every second. They make us hunt for the same qualities and characteristics that Max conveyed, because you know they will make you a better person. His impact on me has been immeasurable, and I am so thankful to have been one of the lucky ones to watch him live his life to the fullest.”
To pay tribute to their son, and thank the JU men’s lacrosse team for its unwavering support in their time of need, the Hartongs established The Maxwell Hartong Memorial Award Fund so that future men’s lacrosse players can follow their dreams the way Max did. The fund will support a graduating senior or alumnus of the men’s lacrosse team who plans to attend graduate school.
“We want to put something in place for those that are thinking about taking a shot at whatever it is that they want to do,” Bryan Hartong said. “We thought to do something in Max’s memory, that this would be the best thing to do.”
“He had an unbelievable affection for JU, he was extremely grateful for his education,” Bryan said.
After Max graduated with a degree in finance, he worked as a financial analyst and coached JV lacrosse at Nease High School. Although he was thriving in his career, he wanted more, and made the choice to attend law school. He completed his first year of law school at the University of Miami, finishing first in his class. He then transferred to Harvard Law School and planned to graduate in May 2023 and work for Cleary Gottlieb, one of the largest law firms in the world.
To honor him, his Harvard Law class will wear his initials on their graduation robes, a tribute to the impact he had on his peers in the two years he spent with them.
Galloway said he hopes the scholarship is just one way he and his team can honor Max’s lasting legacy.
“The Max Hartong Memorial Award will provide an opportunity for men’s lacrosse players in the future to continue to pursue their dreams with the same vigor that Max did,” Galloway said. “More importantly, it will further deepen his connection to this program, for which he will always be remembered. His legacy runs deep in the heart of this program, and this award is another tangible example of the impact Max will continue to have on all of us.”
To donate to the Maxwell Hartong Memorial Award, visit the giving page here.
