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Webster's dictionary defines the word hero as a man or woman of distinguished valor or enterprise in dangers.

This is the story of a hero. His name is Jim Regan. Friends call him Jimmy. He was born in Rockville Centre, N.Y., and grew up in Manhasset. By high school, at Chaminade High in Mineola, N.Y., he had become a top student and a gifted athlete and excelled in community efforts. He was named an all-American lacrosse player and all-state scholar for football and was given the Nassau County Sports Commission award for outstanding academic achievements, athletic achievements and service to the community.

Regan was recruited by Duke University and awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious school and join its lacrosse team.

Now, when you hear the words "Duke lacrosse team," you might have a negative reaction.

Depending upon what you've heard or read, your negative reaction might come out of anger with District Attorney Mike Nifong for bringing charges against the Duke players without proof after a female stripper accused them of raping her. Or you might be angry at the players for having strippers come to their off-campus party.

The point is this: All the negative stories have smeared Duke and its lacrosse team. From the get-go, the Duke players were called "spoiled" or "rich frat boys" or "racist and sexist." Nowhere did you read about the positive achievements of the players.

Now you will.

This story is about the strong character of Duke lacrosse player Jim Regan. It's a story that should change your perception of Duke -- particularly because, unlike much of what has been alleged about Duke and its lacrosse team, this story is true.

Regan arrived at Duke and it wasn't long before he known on campus and on the team. He was a scholar in the classroom and was selected from Duke to the academic all-ACC team. On the Blue Devils team he scored 22 goals and four assists, and led the team to a four-year record of 43 wins, 21 losses and two ACC championships along with four trips to the NCAA tournament. His senior year, Regan was selected for the ACC all-tournament team.

He earned a bachelor's degree in economics, with a minor in business and marketing and was immediately offered a position with UBS, a financial services company. He was also offered a scholarship to attend Southern Methodist University's Law School.

Life, as they say, was looking good for Regan. He met the girl of his dreams. He had great options. He also had great dedication.

Instead of accepting the job or the scholarship, Regan volunteered for military service. He passed on going to officer candidate school and, instead, entered the Army on Feb. 11, 2004, focusing on becoming a Ranger.

His leadership showed itself during infantry basic combat training. According to the Army, Regan graduated first in a class of 400 and was named "soldier of the cycle" in May 2004. By September, he had completed the airborne course and Ranger indoctrination program at Fort Benning, Ga., and was assigned, as team leader, to the 3rd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

He was deployed to Afghanistan twice during Operation Enduring Freedom and served in Iraq as a fire team leader. During his service he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab.

Two weeks ago, on Feb. 1, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. It was good news he shared with his fiancee, Mary McHugh, a medical student at Emory University. She supported his decision to serve in the Army, telling others, "He said, 'If I don't do it, then who will do it?' He recognized it as an option and he couldn't not do it."

The two made plans to marry in March of next year, after Regan's tour of duty would end. They planned to move to Chicago -- to be near McHugh's family -- where she would practice medicine and he would teach and coach lacrosse.

Their plans ended this month. On Feb. 9 Jim Regan was killed when his vehicle was struck by an explosive in northern Iraq.

Duke is honoring him. Lacrosse teammates are joining family and friends in mourning him when he is buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Posthumously he'll be awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

A scholarship in Jim Regan's name has been established at Chaminade High School in New York.

A hero, after all, should be remembered -- always.