What would otherwise be an intriguing matchup between the Canandaigua and Webster Schroeder girls basketball teams on Wednesday carried a somber tone because of who wasn’t there.
Schroeder coach Codi Mrozek is currently away from the team, following the recent loss of twin babies.
According to a GoFundMe page set up by family members, Mrozek and husband Andrew were recently informed their unborn twins had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), and at 24 weeks pregnant traveled to New York City to deliver the babies this past weekend. One baby died shortly after the delivery. An update from the page on Tuesday said the second twin, after a few days in the neonatal intensive care unit, also died.
TTTS is a rare condition that occurs when there’s an imbalance of blood provided to the fetuses, according to Johns Hopkins, which can lead to malnourishment, organ failure and heart issues.
Through Thursday morning, the fundraiser had raised nearly $85,000, comfortably above the initial goal of $65,000. Those funds are expected to offset the cost of various expenses, including medical bills, travel and lodging.
Assistant coach Kevin Willmott said that the team has been in touch with Mrozek, and his understanding was that the head coach was able to watch the win against Canandaigua on a streaming service.
After the game, several Schroeder players offered condolences to Mrozek and her family. Kylie Clement, one of the Warriors’ seniors, called Mrozek “definitely a huge part of this program” and noted their longtime connection.
“It’s really hard to have her go through this, but we’ve been praying for her, giving her all the love and supporting her family,” Clement said.
“It’s been really emotional,” senior Lauren Roberts said. “It gives us the bigger picture, knowing that we’re playing for her and there’s something bigger than basketball. What we can do to help her right now is to play the best we can.”
“It’s so hard not having her here,” Olivia DeMitry said. “We support her as she supported us through every game, every season. It’s definitely hard to see her and her family in this situation. We came out here today and played for her and her family.”
Mrozek has been Webster Schroeder’s head coach since the 2021-22 season. In 2023, she led the Warriors to their first state title.
Mrozek is an elementary school teacher in the Webster school district. Her husband, Andrew, is a former football player at SUNY Brockport and currently a firefighter in the Irondequoit Fire District.
— Justin Ritzel is a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Webster Schroeder plays with heavy hearts after coach’s family tragedy
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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