US Lacrosse Launches First Stick Program A child’s first lacrosse stick not only serves

as a means to play the sport, but a symbol of life-enhancing values such as confidence, teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership that can be developed through lacrosse.

The First Stick Program pilot of US Lacrosse has been established with the assistance of generous individual donors to supply lacrosse equipment, coaches’ education and resources, and life skills training to those who would not otherwise have the chance to participate.

Inaugurated with a gift of $100,000, the First Stick Program will enlarge the equipment grant program of US Lacrosse. This fund will expand participation in the sport beyond traditional boundaries and inspire kids to play hard, dream big and act responsibly within the sport of lacrosse and the game of life.

“We welcome the opportunity to develop the First Stick Program to bring lacrosse to non-traditional and diverse communities where the cost of equipment is a barrier for participation,” said Steve Stenersen, US Lacrosse president and CEO.

The First Stick Program will underwrite the costs of coaches’ training and skill-building resources to teams that receive its equipment grants, including access to the US Lacrosse National Convention and Coaching Education Program Level 1 Online Course, US Lacrosse membership resources for coaches, including Lacrosse Magazine, and programs aimed at teaching lacrosse and its principles of hard work, community and responsibility.

The First Stick Program is inspired by the life journey and experiences of founders, Paul

Meyer, Peter Gibson and Lou Delligatti, who were teammates and friends at Oceanside High School (NY). Grateful for the way sports shaped their lives in positive ways, they decided to initiate the First Stick Program to provide opportunities for young people to receive similar benefits through lacrosse.

Meyer grew up in difficult circumstances of addiction, abuse and instability. By age 15, he was living on his own, while attending Oceanside High School. At Oceanside, he was introduced to the game of lacrosse, the positive benefits of the high school athletic community, and the Martin Bernstein family, who adopted him during his junior year in high school.

Gibson, Delligatti and Meyer all played football at Oceanside under legendary head football coach Roy Kessenich, father of ESPN lacrosse announcer Quint Kessenich. Coach Roy Kessenich provided a safe, encouraging support system and reliable mentoring for the three young athletes and many others as they journeyed from adolescence to manhood.

Coach Kessenich personally took Meyer under his wing when he arrived alone at Oceanside High School, and encouraged him to join the athletic community, where he played football and lacrosse. As teammates and through athletic competition, players Gibson, Delligatti and Meyer discovered they could achieve their personal goals, and learned about commitment, character and community.

Through lacrosse, Meyer was also introduced to the Bernstein family by teammate and friend Scott Bernstein. The Bernstein family and its

Through responsive and effect ive leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. We envision a future which offers people everywhere the opportunity to discover, learn, participate in, enjoy, and ultimately embrace the shared passion of the lacrosse experience.

Sports Science and SafetySee how the US Lacrosse Sport Science & Safety Committee works to make the game safe

National TeamsNew women’s U.S. senior and U19 national teams selected

National Roundup A sampling of US Lacrosse programming from coast to coast

Inside This Issue:

First Sport SentinelA publication of the First Sport Society for the philanthropic supporters of US Lacrosse

WINTER 2010

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As most of the country experiences a change in climate, this change of season also signals a change in leadership and

structure of the US Lacrosse Foundation Board.I am honored to have served on the USL

Foundation Board for six years. During this time, lacrosse has seen dynamic growth in all levels of participation, and I am privileged to have been in a position dedicated to providing and attracting the resources necessary to manage the safe and responsible growth of the sport.

I am pleased to welcome Ed Calkins of Naples, Fla., as chairman-elect who will assume the lead of the USL board in 2011. Ed, partner and CEO of RGM Capital, has been involved with lacrosse since he first started playing at the age of seven in Ithaca, N.Y. He went on to start four years at Princeton, culminating with the 1992 NCAA Championship, and continued with intramural leagues while attending business school at Cornell. Ed has been on the board of the Collier County Lacrosse Association, Florida Interscholastic Associates Lacrosse League and has coached youth lacrosse and hosted youth camps. Ed has also been active with the Cancer Alliance of Naples, Habitat for Humanity, Youth Haven and the American Cancer Society.

In addition, we welcome Jim Birle, J. Gordon Cooney, Jr., Doug Corrigan, Henry Kim, Dan Murray, Ed Nordberg, and Jim

Soran as recent additions to the US Lacrosse Foundation Board.

The addit ion of these enthusiast ic individuals dedicated to the mission of US Lacrosse will greatly complement the existing board leadership. Made up of talented and motivated individuals with a range of personal and professional expertise and lacrosse involvement, the US Lacrosse Foundation Board leads efforts in the areas of fundraising to benefit and support the programs and activities of US Lacrosse. As we strive for the USL Foundation Board to reflect the game with representation of men and women from across the country, we seek individuals who not only demonstrate an interest in lacrosse, but also the capacity to support the sport at financially elevated levels as an example to attract the support of others.

Though I prepare to step down in the chairman’s capacity, I will remain loyal and committed to support the Foundation and attract others to contribute to the sport’s continued and healthy development. In the meantime, I thank all donors and members for their continued and generous support to ensure safe and posit ive lacrosse experiences for all.

Michael R. WilcoxChair, US Lacrosse Foundation

US LACROSSE FOUNDATION

Executive CommitteeMichael Wilcox, Chair

Larry Berger, SecretaryEd Calkins, Chair Elect

Kevin Dooley, PhilanthropyKristen Garlinghouse, At Large

Andy Kraus, Treasurer Johnny Magwood, At Large

Board MembersLarry BergerJim BirleEd CalkinsMax CaulkinsJ. Gordon CooneyDoug CorriganKevin DooleyKristen GarlinghouseMiles HarrisonBarclay Kass

US Lacrosse ContactsSteve Stenersen

President & CEOsstenersen@uslacrosse.org, x101

Deloris Mabins-AdenekanAssociate Director of Development

dmabinsadenekan@uslacrosse.org, x128

Brenna DavisFundraising Associate

bdavis@uslacrosse.org, x125

Debbie Franklin Donor Relations Manager

dfranklin@uslacrosse.org, x121

Christina Gibson National Teams Coordinator

cgibson@uslacrosse.org, x127

US Lacrosse National Headquarters

113 West University ParkwayBaltimore, MD 21210

P: 410-235-6882, F: 410-366-6735www.uslacrosse.org

The leaders of the First Sport Society are committed to communicating the mission of US Lacrosse and the US Lacrosse Foundation to its supporters. The First Sport Society is comprised of individuals, companies and foundations who support the US Lacrosse Foundation with gifts of $1,000 or more annually.

• 2 • First Sport Sentinel www.uslacrosse.org www.uslacrosse.org First Sport Sentinel • 3 •

Chairman’s PerspectiveMichael R. Wilcox, Chair, US Lacrosse Foundation Sports-related concussions have made

recent headlines and have been a primary area of focus for the US Lacrosse Sports Science & Safety Committee for several years. Donor support has helped US Lacrosse to fund and collaborate on research to better understand the mechanisms and frequency of concussion injuries in both men’s and women’s lacrosse and how appropriate rule adherence and coaching and officials education can be implemented to potentially lessen the instance and severity of concussions, as well as to raise awareness of the serious nature of the injury throughout the national lacrosse community.

One such Sports Science & Safety Committee study has been an ongoing injury surveillance and tracking system in Fairfax County (Va.) Public Schools, evaluating over 25,000 high school athletes over a consecutive 11-year period (1997-98 to 2007-08) to examine the incidence and r e l a t i v e r i s k o f concussions in 12 high school boys’ and girls’ interscholastic sports.

Two certified athletic trainers at each of Fairfax County’s 25 public high schools recorded all injuries and illnesses in an electronic medical r e c o r d - k e e p i n g program, including t i m e , l o c a t i o n , mechanism of injury, body part, nature of injury, symptoms and return to play. The sports included in the study were b o y s ’ b a s e b a l l , basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer and wrestling. Girls’ sports studied were basketball, cheerleading, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball.

“The study allows us to look at what’s going on at a broad level, injury experience in a particular year, and look at lacrosse in comparison with other sports,” explained Dr. Andy Lincoln, US Lacrosse Sport Science & Safety Committee member and Director of The MedStar Sports Medicine Research Center at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.

The research found an increased risk of concussions across all sports over time, not limited to lacrosse or any individual sport. Football and girls’ soccer were associated with the highest concussion rates in the sports studied. The increases in concussion incidence may be attributed to a variety of on-the-field factors, including improved player athleticism leading to more forceful play, but also influenced by improved concussion recognition, diagnosis

Getting Your Head Out of the Gameand documentation. The committee is currently challenged to evaluate and appropriately decipher the role that each of these factors has as contributing injury elements.

Another Sport Science and Safety Committee study has used video analysis to identify common scenarios of concussions in high school boys and girls lacrosse games. The study followed 5,000 male and female high school lacrosse players in Fairfax County (Va.) public schools over two seasons in 2008 and 2009. Injury surveillance data was collected by certified athletic trainers using a computer-based injury management system, in conjunction with digital video documentation of all game injuries.

The footage was further broken down to identify and classify incidents of concussions by several factors, such as type of contact (body contact, intentional or unintentional stick

contact, etc.), player activity (catching, passing, shooting, loose ball, etc.), where on the face or head the injury occurred, whether or not a penalty was called, and much more.

US Lacrosse plans to use the findings to evaluate rules, coaches, officials and participant education, and enhance concussion awareness to minimize risk in the sport. In the meantime, US Lacrosse is proactive in developing resources and messaging to raise symptom awareness and recommend treatment for concussions in the sport.

Within the men’s game, in order to remove or reduce serious and deliberate head-to-head contact from lacrosse, the NCAA and NFHS have accepted US Lacrosse’s recommendations to establish specific rules to severely penalize a player who uses his helmet or arm to make contact with an opponent’s helmet.

Injury research and evaluation has also lead to significant modifications to the women’s

game over the past 10 years in order to address concerns regarding player safety, including changes in the parameters of the legal pocket, goalie helmet standards, mandating of eyewear and more.

Most recently the US Lacrosse Board of Directors approved new women’s lacrosse rule changes and clarifications for the 2011 season that are endorsed by the NFHS, WDIA, and youth play at all levels under the age of 15, as well as recommendations made to the NCAA. The recommendations demonstrate a comprehensive approach to penalizing unsafe and dangerous play by increasing the severity and accountability for major fouls that will impact not only a reckless player or coach, but also the team as a whole.

US Lacrosse also has taken a leadership role in concussion awareness and education. US Lacrosse has partnered with the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to produce lacrosse specific concussion awareness fact sheets for coaches, parents and players. These resources, including a “concussion tool kit for coaches” titled, Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports, contain a variety of practical, easy-to-use printed, online and video information.

US Lacrosse is also one of 14 national govern ing bodies selected to provide access to a poster made by the National Footbal l League’s (NFL) Head, Neck and

Spine Medical Committee, the CDC and the NFL Players Association. The poster, available for display in locker rooms, gymnasiums and schools nationwide, hopes to let young athletes know concussions are serious and provides a list of concussion signs, symptoms and steps they should take if they think they have a concussion.

In addition, in partnership with ImPACT Applications, Inc. (ImPACT), US Lacrosse continues to promote the importance of establishing a formal Concussion Management Program for lacrosse programs that offers player baseline testing, participant and parent education, awareness, and links to local participating neurocognitive testing facilities.

To access all US Lacrosse Sports Science & Safety resources, learn more about recent rule changes and participate in US Lacrosse education opportunities, visit www.uslacrosse.org.

Henry KimAndy KrausJohnny MagwoodMark McKinleyDan MurrayEdward NordbergMike O’RourkeJim SoranJohn TowersMichael Wilcox

Earn It: The Values of LacrosseGregg Mitchell, Managing Director, US Lacrosse Foundation

Those of you who have interacted with me during my time with US Lacrosse know that I often speak about the values of the sport,

including teamwork, discipline, physical fitness, courage and tradition.

I speak about these values often because I think lacrosse – when played well under the guidance of outstanding coaches and officials – is an outstanding youth-development activity.

The value of the sport in offering life-lessons became clear when I observed the slow-start of my son’s team at St. Paul’s School for Boys, a team with great promise, but which needed determination, discipline and hard work to achieve its potential.

After an underwhelming victory early in the season, coach Tom Brocato took the boys aside and urged them to understand that their reputation as a promising squad mattered little – if at all. They had to earn it, every day in practice and on the field.

The phrase “earn it” became an informal motto for my son during his senior year and it was an idea that lived in his class as a whole, noted in the remarks of the headmaster during his commencement address.

At different times since then, I have had occasion to speak to my son about a challenging situation and how to confront it. Because of the life-lessons learned on the lacrosse field, I have been able to say two

words and little else. “Earn it.” The message is clear and the satisfaction of achievement, derived from the concerted effort of a united team of individuals, is empowering and motivational.

When thinking about the values of lacrosse, I also think about the words of Cookie Krongard, a Hall of Fame goalie, who has played at a high level for six decades. Cookie told me that being a goalie was a particular value to him.

He said, “When I have done camps or work with young goalies, I have tried to communicate some of the mental parts of being a goalie. I’ve always told them that when a ball goes by you in the goal, a point goes up on the scoreboard for everyone to see. That point is there and there is nothing you can do about that.”

“When you rake that ball and give it to the referee, that has got to the end of that shot and that play. If you continue to focus on that play, sure enough the next shot will hit you in the throat. You have to learn to overcome adversity, to put it behind you and to keep striving for the next play. That was a great life lesson for me,” he concluded.

Earn it. Overcome adversity. Strive for the next play. Work together.

I want to comment about another value of lacrosse that is particularly important to me. I support lacrosse because it requires its participants to strive to be and maintain physical fitness. It is a great antidote to the sedentary lifestyle of all too many young people today.

For me, it has been a special privilege to work with US Lacrosse to promote positive growth of a great sport. Only a special challenge would take me away from my role with the USL Foundation. I will be leaving my post to accept a challenge to serve as Senior Vice President for the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. The opportunity is an outgrowth of my past work in land and wildlife conservation. I will work to find bipartisan solutions to environmental challenges based on solid science and economics.

Though I am accepting a new professional challenge, I will remain active with the Foundation as a volunteer. Thank you for the opportunity to work for lacrosse as a professional and know that I remain steadfast in my support of America’s first sport.

• 4 • First Sport Sentinel www.uslacrosse.org www.uslacrosse.org First Sport Sentinel • 5 •

Nearly 250 athletes, plus coaches, evaluators and staff descended on the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) campus in August for six days of drilling and scrimmages designed to select the U.S. women’s senior team, followed by the U.S. under-19 women’s national team.

Over 80 players were evaluated before the new 36-member U.S. women’s senior team was announced. In 2009, the United States captured its fifth Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup championship when it defeated Australia 8-7 at the last world event in the Czech Republic. The U.S. has won either gold or silver in all seven world championships conducted since 1986. Thirteen members selected for the new team were on the 2009 U.S. World Cup championship team, including all-world selections Sarah Albrecht, Amber Falcone, Kristen Kjellman and Lindsey Munday.

“What we wanted to accomplish was gather 36 players that we felt made up the best group as opposed to looking at the most individual talent,” Team USA and Georgetown

U.S. Women’s National Team Selectedcoach Ricky Fried said. “Who played well together, worked well and competed on a consistent basis? It was a competitive tryout, the most competitive I’ve seen in my four years here… We had some hard decisions to make, in a good way, and we feel lucky to have the group that we have for this year.”

Once the senior team was selected, more than 165 girls from 25 different states were whittled down to the 24-player roster for the 2011 U.S. U19 women’s national lacrosse team set to compete in the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) U19 World Championships in Hannover, Germany, August 3-13, 2011. In 2007, Team USA won the gold at the quadrennial event, beating Australia 18-3 in Peterborough, Ontario.

“We’re really excited about the talent of this group,” said Krystin Porcella, head coach of the U.S. U19 women’s national team. “The level of play - physical and mental - and the athleticism of these girls was truly unbelievable all week. We can’t wait to get to work this fall putting all of the pieces together.”

US Women’s Senior TeamSarah Albrecht * M Northwestern ‘06Amy Altig G James Madison ‘05Casey Ancarrow A James Madison ‘13Kelly Berger M James Madison ‘07Sarah Bullard * M Duke ‘11Jillian Byers A Notre Dame ‘09Caroline Cryer * A Duke ‘08Katrina Dowd A Northwestern ‘10Michi Ellers M Georgetown ‘04Amber Falcone * D North Carolina ‘09Katy Fitzgerald D North Carolina ‘11Corrine Gandolfi M Hofstra ‘10Kim Griffin D James Madison ‘09Kathleen Hertsch D Hofstra ‘11Megan Huether * G Duke ‘06Kristin Igoe M Boston College ‘11Ashby Kaestner M Georgetown ‘10Alyssa Kildare D Johns Hopkins ‘12Kristen Kjellman * M Northwestern ‘07 Erica LaGrow * M North Carolina ‘08 Kendall McBrearty G Virginia ‘08Caitlyn McFadden * M Maryland ‘10Holly McGarvie A Princeton ‘09Lindsey Munday * A Northwestern ‘06 Colleen Olsen D Dartmouth ‘10Brittany Poist D Maryland ‘11Mallory Poole M C.W. Post ‘08Katie Rowan * A Syracuse ‘09Jennifer Russell D North Carolina ‘10Lauren Schmidt M Stanford ‘11Katie Schwarzmann M Maryland ‘13Lauren Schwarzmann M Johns Hopkins ‘08Danielle Spencer M Northwestern ‘10Michelle Tumolo A Syracuse ‘13Acacia Walker * M Maryland ‘05Paris Waterman D Brown ‘11Devon Wills * G Dartmouth ‘06Laura Zimmerman M North Carolina ‘12* Players who were members of the 2009 World Cup team

Head Coach: Ricky FriedAssistant Coaches: Amy Bokker, Carol Cantele, Michele DeJuliis, Bowen Holdenm, Liz Robertshaw, Jessica Wilk Strosberg, Manager: Wendy StoneAthletic Trainer: Michael Cantele

2011 Women’s U-19 TeamMadison Acton M Lincoln Sudbury Regional ‘12Alyssa Blevins D C. Milton Wright ‘11Tatum Coffey M Toms River North ‘11Jennifer Cook A McDonogh ‘11Dene’ Di Martino M Eastport South Manor ‘12Kelsey Duryea G Governor’s Academy ‘12Christine Ferguson D St. Paul’s ‘11Cortney Fortunato A Northport ‘13Shannon Gilroy M Northport ‘11Sally Jentis D Ridgewood ‘11Dani Lazo M St. Mary’s ‘11Erin McMunn A Winter Mill ‘11Kelly McPartland M Farmingdale ‘11Allie Murray G Downingtown ‘11Mikaela Rix M Garden City ‘11Anna Salemo A Heritage ‘11Caileigh Sindall D Good Counsel ‘11Brigid Smith A Good Counsel ‘11Covie Stanwick A Notre Dame Prep ‘11Barbara Sullivan D Garden City ‘11Sammy Jo Tracy M Fox Lane ‘12Kayla Treanor M Niskayuna ‘12Taylor Trimble M Episcopal Academy ‘11Rachel Vallarelli G Holy Child ‘11

Head Coach: Krystin PorcellaAssistant Coaches: Carter Abbott, Megan Clark, Jennifer PfeifferManager: Sarah AschenbachAthletic Trainer: Megan Colas

patriarch, Martin B. Bernstein, embodied the spirit of generosity and compassion. They took Meyer in and made him part of their family. Meyer, now a successful businessman, husband and father, lives in Georgia. He coaches lacrosse at Greenbrier High School, a program he helped start, and participates in the local YMCA lacrosse program.

Co-founder, Peter Gibson played football, baseball and basketball at Oceanside High School. He was the quarterback for Coach Kessenich’s 1977 county championship team. Gibson, a successful businessman and beloved father, is working to help develop the Rutgers University student athlete Life Skills program. He is active in other charities such as the Trenton Boys and Girls Club and Catholic Charities of New Jersey and also helps coach his son’s lacrosse team.

..First Stick Program continued from page 1 Louis Delligatti, a two-sport athlete in high school where he excelled at lacrosse, played collegiate lacrosse for Towson University. Delligatti played 10 years as a professional indoor lacrosse player, coached by Steve Stenersen. He currently resides in Augusta, Georgia, where he is the Regional Sales Manager for SignCo and maintains close ties with Paul Meyer and family.

“I want other young people to have destiny-changing experiences by having access to a sport that requires teamwork, discipline, determination and physical fitness” said co-founder of the First Stick Program, Paul Meyer. “A lacrosse stick is more than just a piece of sporting equipment. It symbolizes an opportunity to work hard, achieve your goals and share your gifts.”

To support the USL First Stick Program, go to https://secure.uslacrosse.org/FirstStick.

Snapshots from US Lacrosse Foundation reception in San Francisco: 1) (L-R) US Lacrosse board of directors past chair Marti Fessenden with USL associate director of financial development Deloris Mabins-Adenekan 2) Stanford head coach and U.S. women’s senior team assistant coach Amy Bokker with NorCal chapter president Heidi Faith, USL president and CEO Steve Stenersen and Lax for Life founder Andrew McDonald 3) U.S. men’s national team member Eric Martin with Leslie Maslowski of NBC.

Kelly Berger during U.S Women’s senior team tryouts at UMBC this summer.

National Scope, Local Impact A Sampling of US Lacrosse’s Presence from Coast to Coast

ArizonaUS Lacrosse and the Arizona Chapter of

US Lacrosse hosted a Fast Break Initiative “Super Weekend” at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Ariz., Nov. 5-7. The weekend included 15 free events covering everything an aspiring lacrosse area would need to flourish into a self-sustaining organization, including youth lacrosse clinics for boys and girls, a coaching education clinic, a men’s and women’s officials clinic, and a parents’ education clinic, as well as a keynote address presented by UMBC head men’s coach Don Zimmerman.

CaliforniaThe US Lacrosse Foundation headed

west for its fall board meeting and First Look reception in San Francisco, October 14-16. The USLF events preceded the San Francisco Fall Lacrosse Classic, featuring nationally-ranked Johns Hopkins University and the University of Notre Dame men’s lacrosse teams, as well as youth and coaches clinics.

FloridaThe U.S. men’s and women’s national

teams will head to the Sunshine State for the 2011 Champion® Challenge event in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., January 29-30, 2011. The weekend will include competitions between some of the top collegiate teams in the country vs. the U.S. national teams, parent educational programming, and coach

and player clinics offered by members of all the U.S. national teams. In addition, the US Lacrosse Foundation Board will be in Orlando for its January meeting. For more information about the 2011 C h a m p i o n ® C h a l l e n g e please visit www.uslacrosse.org website.

MarylandThe US Lacrosse National

Convention, presented by Champion, returns to the Baltimore Convention Center th is January 21-23, 2011. Billed as “the unofficial start to the lacrosse season,” this event annually gathers the best lacrosse has to offer, and provides the sport’s largest educational opportunity, with over 5,000 coaches, officials, program administrators and exhibitors in attendance.

MassachusettsUS Lacrosse hosted its annual Stars and

Stripes weekend featuring the U.S. men’s and women’s national senior teams, as well as the U.S. women’s U19 team, in a full slate of exhibition games at Harvard University in Boston, on October 9-10, 2010. Exhibitions included the US men’s team vs. Harvard, the US women’s team vs. Harvard, Boston College and Boston University, and the women’s U19 team against Revolution Lacrosse Club and Massachusetts Elite Club. In addition, the national teams hosted instructional clinics for youth and high school players.

US Lacrosse Announces Equipment Grant Awards

• 6 • First Sport Sentinel www.uslacrosse.org

CALIFORNIA

ARIZONA

FLORIDA

NEW YORK

MASSACHUSETTS

MARYLAND

The US Lacrosse National Convention, presented by Champion, returns to the Baltimore Convention Center this January 21-23, 2011. Billed as “the unofficial start to the lacrosse season,” this event annually gathers the best lacrosse has to offer, and provides the sport’s largest educational opportunity, with over 5,000 coaches, officials, program administrators and exhibitors in attendance.

Gold medalist and four-time Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee, named the greatest female athlete of the 20th century” by Sports Illustrated, will get this year’s convention off to a running start with the keynote address. In addition to her gold medal performances in the heptathlon and long jump, Joyner-Kersee also started four years on the UCLA women’s basketball team.

In addition to Joyner-Kersee, several prominent lacrosse coaches and expert speakers will conduct over 80 educational sessions during the convention. Presenters

Jackie Joyner-Kersee To Get The Convention Off To A Running Start

US Lacrosse is proud to announce the awardees of its 2010 equipment grants presented to 103 lacrosse programs and teams in 31 states, totaling nearly $230,000.

The US Lacrosse Equipment Grant Program, in its 12th year, is an annual offering of US Lacrosse. Since the inception of the Equipment Grant Program, US Lacrosse has donated equipment to over 400 aspiring lacrosse programs with the retail value of more than $1.8 million.

The US Lacrosse Equipment Grant is one of the most impactful programs that US Lacrosse offers. It directly supports the growth of lacrosse across the country, allowing more youth to have the opportunity to play the sport each year.

“We’re grateful for the generous contributions of donors and equipment donations from manufacturers like Adidas, Brine, Harrow, Onyx, STX, and Warrior, who assist in making these equipment grants possible,” said Joshua Christian, US Lacrosse managing director of sports development. “Building on their support, this year US Lacrosse is able to award grants that provide new and safe lacrosse equipment to over 2,200 boys and girls, literally from head to toe and coast to coast.”

Lacrosse programs applying for a grant must meet program criteria by appropriately demonstrating financial need, and priority is given to those residing in a state or region where lacrosse opportunities are currently limited or absent. Applicants can select from a girls’ package, boys’ package, boys’ and girls’ program package or a physical education package.

include men’s coaches Jim Berkman (Salisbury), John Danowski (Duke) and Mike Daly (Tufts), women’s coaches Janine Tucker (Johns Hopkins), Cathy Reese (Maryland) and Jen Adams (Loyola), men’s officials Rich Tamberrino, Tom Abbott and Jim Carboneau, women’s officials Patty Daly, Cathy Reese, Lissa Fickert, Mike Daly, Ericka Leslie, and Jen O’Donnell, and so many more.

Other features of this year’s convention include US Lacrosse Coaching Education Program clinics and courses, plus a one day certification package, US Lacrosse and NCAA Rules interpretation sessions, live field demonstrations with elite coaches and U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, autograph signings with world champion Team USA, networking events, US Lacrosse technology booth with gadgets to give you an edge, as well as US Lacrosse Sport Center with programs, grants and services US Lacrosse can offer you.

The event will also feature the EXPO Hall with over 150 vendors offering discounts, giveaways and contests. This year’s vendors include Champion, ESPN U, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Under Armour, Adidas, Harrow, Boathouse Sports, Warrior, Sports Her Way, Sports Authority to name a few.

For more information or to register, go to www.uslacrosse.org/convention.

www.uslacrosse.org First Sport Sentinel • 7 •

The following programs have been awarded grants for the 2010 cycle of the US Lacrosse Equipment Grant Program:

Girls’ Team PackagesThe Girls’ Packages can include up to 24 eyemasks, 24 field player sticks, one goalie stick, full protective equipment for one goalie, including helmet.Capital School District-Central Middle School, Dover, DEDel Norte High School Nighthawks, San Diego, CAEastern Wayne High School, Goldsboro, NCKealing Middle School-Girls Lacrosse Club, Austin, TXLongs Peak Middle School, Longmont, CO†Mukwonago Lacrosse Team, Mukwonago, WI†Robinson HS Girls Lacrosse, Tampa, FLShawnee Mission Lacrosse, Prairie, KS*Stanwood Lacrosse (SCJAA), Stanwood, WAYMCA of Northwest NC, Winston-Salem, NC

Boys’ Team PackagesThe Boys’ Packages can include up to 24 field player sticks, one goalie stick, full protective equipment for 24 field players and one goalie (gloves, arm guards, and shoulder pads and helmet)Augusta, GA†Bellevue Lacrosse, Bellevue, NEBloomfield Raiders, Bloomfield, CT†Boothbay Region YMCA, Boothbay Harbor, MEBrooklyn Prospect Charter School, Brooklyn, NY†CISI Larry Hawkins, Chicago, ILCristo Rey Jesuit High School, Baltimore, MD†Fairmont Middle Lacrosse, Faimont, WVFlour Bluff Lacrosse Club, Corpus Christi, TXGeorge Washington High School, Philadelphia, PAHighland Hornets, Albuquerque , NMIonia High School Lacrosse, Ionia, MI

KIPP McDonogh 15 School, New Orleans, LALake Lacrosse Club, Hartville, OHLBJ/LASA Boys LAX Booster Club, Austin, TXNeptune City Board of Rec., Neptune, NJ North Olympic Peninsula Lacrosse Club, Port Angeles, WAOzaukee Youth Lacrosse, Cedarburg, WISkyline High School Lacrosse Club, Oakland, CASoddy Daisy High School Club Lacrosse, Hixon, TNSpartanburg High School, Spartanburg, SCSpring Valley High School Athletics, Columbia, SCSt. Petersburg HS Green Devils Lacrosse, Gulfport, FLVance Charter School, Henderson, NCWausau Wolfpack Pups Youth Lacrosse, Wausau, WIWoodvalley Lacrosse, Conklin, NY

Boys’ and Girls’ Program PackagesThe Program Package can include equipment for boys including up to 20 field player sticks and one goalie stick, full protective equipment for 20 field players and one goalie (gloves, arm guards, shoulder pads and helmets), as well as girls’ equipment up to 20 field player sticks and one goalie stick, 20 eye masks, and full protective equipment for one goalie (including helmet).Antrim Rec. Department, Antrim, NHBoonsboro Area Athletic Assoc., Keedysville, MDBraintree Youth Lacrosse/Braintree Elem., Braintree, VTConnally High School Lacrosse Club, Austin, TXEagles Lacrosse, Dayton, OHFort Worth Youth Lacrosse Assoc., Benbrook, TXGrand Ledge Youth Lacrosse, Grand Ledge, MIHamilton Youth Lacrosse (Police Athletic League), Hamilton, NJHampden Elem./MS #55, Baltimore, MDHarbor Fire Lacrosse, Gig Harbor, WAHillcrest Middle School, Glendale, AZ*KIPP Renaissance High School, New Orleans, LA†

Little Rock Lacrosse Club, Little Rock, ARMashpee Youth Lacrosse League, Mashpee, MAMax Lax, Charlotte, NC†Mendez Learning Center, Los Angeles, CANew Castle Community YMCA, New Castle, PA†Oxon Hill High School, Oxon Hill, MDPikes Peak Lacrosse, Colorado Springs, COSpringer Middle School, Wilmington, DESt. Augustine High School, St. Augustine, FLTeaneck Sports Program, Teaneck, NJTemecula Valley HS Lacrosse Booster Club, Temecula, CAValencia High School, Placentia, CAWashington Lacrosse, Washington, MEWesterly Area Youth Lacrosse, Westerly, RIYgnacio Valley High School, Concord, CA

Physical Education PackagesThe Physical Education Package includes 30 physical education soft lacrosse sticks and 30 balls, as well as US Lacrosse Physical Education Curriculum.Ahwatukee Lacrosse, Phoenix, AZAll Saints Catholic School, Spokane, WACanyon Creek Elementary School, Austin, TXDurham Public Schools/Hope Valley Elem., Durham, NCExcelsior Middle School, Discovery Bay, CAFresno Unified School District, Fresno, CAKeheley Elem. School, Marietta, GANicholson Elem. School, Acworth, GASt. Charles School, New Middletown, OHThe McGillis School, Salt Lake City, UT

* Fast Break Grants – program was awarded an equipment grant in conjunction with the 2010 Fast Break program.† First Stick Grants – program was awarded equipment grant in conjunction with the First Stick Program

MAP KEYNew York

US Lacrosse was a sponsor of the Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Classic in August featuring seven days of competition with over 100 teams in twelve club divisions – Boys U15, Boys and Girls U18, Men’s (I and II) and Women’s open, Masters , Grandmasters , and Super Grandmasters. The tournament also featured an award night which honored those people who have meant a great deal to the success of the tournament over the last 20 years.

NATIONAL ROUNDUP

EQUIPMENT GRANT LOCATIONS

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US Lacrosse was a sponsor of the Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Classic in August

Map is for illustrative purposes only; not to scale.

At the Buzzer: Striving for Extraordinary ImpactSteve Stenersen, President and CEO of US Lacrosse

US Lacrosse is the newest national govern ing body in amateur sport, established in 1998 to support America’s oldest team sport. As

we mature as an organization at the start of our second decade, we strive to continue to earn your trust, not only on the basis of past accomplishments, but on the strength of positive impact that grows with each year.

Unlike our companion organizations in other sports, which emphasize development of elite athletes for Olympic competition, the measure of our organization is a simple but broad metric. We want to be known for our impact – for building the sport from the ground up and supporting the game in ways that make a real difference for young players and their families.

As we focus on improving services to current members, increasing educational initiatives, promoting safety and introducing the game to new communities, we also inspire participation through our celebration of excellence through the U.S. national teams and honor the sport’s greats through Hall of Fame recognition.

I’m proud to share with you a few recent

organizational initiatives, made possible by the support of members and donors:

Service – US Lacrosse provides sport-specific league and team management resources – www.uslaxteams.com and US Lacrosse Playbook – to programs that support USL membership. These comprehensive online tools provide unprecedented support to league and team administrators in their efforts to communicate easily and effectively with players, coaches and parents, schedule officials and fields, manage team rosters and events, and more.

Education – The USL Coaching Education Program (CEP) is the national standard for lacrosse-specific education and certification of coaches. In addition, time-crunched coaches will also have access to Mobile Coach, a US Lacrosse-developed product that provides quick access to hundreds of drills created by our CEP, as well as the ability to access, organize and share USL videos on the fly.

Outreach - USL recently announced equipment grants to more than 100 new teams in 30 states – an increase of almost 100% over just two years ago. This is a big step in our ever-expanding efforts to ensure that the cost of equipment does not preclude participation.

Celebration – Each year US Lacrosse sends at least one national team into international competition. This year, our U.S. men’s senior team defeated Canada for the World Championship in Manchester, England, to avenge a 2006 loss and return the gold medal to the United States. We’ve already begun preparation of the U19 women’s national team to compete next summer in Germany. Our national teams not only promote international lacrosse development, but also inspire participation in the sport and provide training clinics to young players across the country.

Donors play a key role in enabling us to offer these and many other programs. Without growing general support for the ongoing development of US Lacrosse programs and services, as well as increased restricted gifts for our national team and sport development programs, our efforts would fall short of the resources our growing sport requires.

The success of any team depends on the contributions – dramatic or subtle – of every team member. US Lacrosse is no exception. To all of our donors and prospective supporters, thank you in advance for becoming or remaining such an important part of our organization’s growth and success.

• 8 • First Sport Sentinel www.uslacrosse.org

As we know in lacrosse, a last second goal or save can make a difference in the outcome of a game. As the end of the year approaches, don’t let the clock run out on your chance to make a difference in the game with a tax-deductible gift in support of US Lacrosse. With the support of donors, US Lacrosse strives to provide positive and safe experiences for all participants from coast to coast.

Your Opportunity To Support

The US Lacrosse First Sport Society is proud to recognize the following donors of $1,000 or more to US Lacrosse since January 2010. Thank you for all you do in support of the sport!Todd and Barbara Albert • All West Lacrosse • David and Bonnie Allan • Anonymous Donors (various) • Doug Appleton • Baltimore City Foundation, Inc. • Lawrence and Julie Berger • Jim and Judy Birle • William and Julia Blanchard • Morton Bouchard • Sandra and Dick Boyce • BTIG, LLC • Buzzy Budnitz • Roy and Patricia Bumsted • Edward Calkins and Linda Sonders • Reid and Suzanne Campbell • Cincinnati Lacrosse Club • Christopher and Angelina Cohan • Harvey and Norma Cohen • Jean and Robert Cole • Thomas and Kathleen Connor • George and Patricia Conrades • Todd and Kim Crockett • Gary and Sylvie Crum • John Curran • Cypress-Fairbanks Lacrosse Association • Lee and Melissa Dutra • Jennifer Eames • Braden Edwards and Carolyn Feinstein • Eric Evans • Geri Fessler • Robert & Elizabeth Fisher Fund • Kenneth Fitzsimmons • Kristen and Brad Garlinghouse • Katrina and Terry Garnett • James and Gwenae Garvey • Jonathan and Rita Gewirz • John and Rina Gibbons • Peter Gibson • Gibson Family Foundation • Thomas and Mary Gilbane • Bob and Clare Gordon • William Gray • James and Marritje Greene • Brett and Judy Haire • The Hemenway Family • Richard and Catherine Herbst • Roch and Carol Hillenbrand • Hills/Elwood Youth Lacrosse • Mary Ellen and Richard Huether • Brian and Laura Hull • Peter and Katie Innis • Barclay and Dennis Kass • Francis and Janet Kelly • Francis and Gayle Kelly • Bob Kent • Thomas Klein • KOKARI Foundation • Andrew and Donna Kraus • Lou Ann and James Landon • Raymond Langhaim • Edward and Barbara Laux • Alexander and Victory Levi • The Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation • Darren and Sierra Lowe • Edith and Bo Lycke • Johnny and Robin Magwood • Thomas and Robin Mattimore • Dawn McAleese • Dan and Kathleen McCormick • J. Andrew and Simone McEntire • Edwin and Donna McGuinn • Mark and Karla McKinley • Anne McNulty • Craig and Debra Messinger • William Miller • Thomas and Joy Mistele • Barton and Elizabeth Mitchell • Steven Mitchell • Robert and Carol Mongeluzzi • Merritt and Roslyn Nesin • The New Jersey North Lacrosse Foundation • Edward and Carol Nordberg • Christopher and E. Norton • William and Donna Oliver • Michael and Donna O’Rourke • David Ott and Jane De Marco Ott • The Philadelphia Lacrosse Association • Duane and Laurie Phillips • James Potter and Ginna Naylor • Michael and Susan Pressler • Rockville Centre Select Storm • Henry and Dorothy Rosenberg • Eric and Nancy Rudolph • Robert and Cynthia Rudow • John J. Schiff, Jr. • Hayedeh and Dale Scott • Jack and Alissa Sebastian • William and Elizabeth Shea • Donald J. Sherrill • Robert and Julie Skandalaris • Carolyn C. Smith • Frederick Smith and Venice Paterakis • John and Jan Stalfort • Lee and Debbie Stevens • Thomas Steyer and Katharine Taylor • Charlie and Ann Stieff • Katherine Tabor • John M. Taylor • John and Margaret Towers • Thomas and Joan Towers • Diane Ueberle • Thomas and Lisa Vail • Mickey and Nancy Webster • William Westervelt • Frederick and Anne Whitridge • Peter Worstell • Thomas Zacoi • Ron Zeff