BERKELEY, Calif. – When Doug Sciutto attempted to break down a locked door at a burning fraternity house on Sept. 8, 1990, at the University of California at Berkeley, he was trying to rescue his friends from the flames that engulfed the structure. He never made it out of the building that day, but his memory will live on whenever the Golden Bears step on the lacrosse field this spring.

Sciutto, a former captain and MVP of the Cal-Berkeley men’s lacrosse team, which is a member of the MCLA, had his No. 4 retired that year out of respect, and it has never been worn since. It will come back out of retirement this spring.

With the blessing of Sciutto’s father, Bob, and in an effort to better remember and celebrate Sciutto’s legacy, the program is un-retiring the No. 4. It will now be worn each year by the senior who best demonstrates his qualities of courage, commitment and selflessness, while dominating all aspects of the Cal lacrosse experience.

“Some programs bestow a number to a player based on merit, the quality of their play,” said head coach Ned Webster. “This award is based mainly on strength of character and will be the highest honor a Cal lacrosse player can receive.”

The inaugural recipient of the Doug Sciutto #4 Memorial Jersey is senior captain Connor McLeod (pictured above), who played his prep lacrosse at Junipero Serra (Calif.) High.

“Receiving the Doug Sciutto Award was the greatest honor I have been given in my life,” said McLeod. “Wearing number 4 is a constant reminder to be selfless with my teammates, my friends, and my family. I am honored to wear Doug’s number, and truly hope to become the kind of man that would make Doug proud.”

The Golden Bears open the season on Feb. 5 against UC Davis and will continue the following weekend with games against Arizona and Washington at the Pac-12 Shootout, hosted by UCLA. Cal finished the 2015 season with a 6-6 mark and a visit to the WCLL semifinals.