US Lacrosse

US Lacrosse is the national governing body of men and women's lacrosse in the United States. The US Lacrosse national headquarters is located in Baltimore, Maryland along with the Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame. The president and CEO of US Lacrosse is Steve Stenersen.

History

US Lacrosse was founded on January 1, 1998. It resulted from the merger of many different groups, including the Lacrosse Foundation, the United States Women's Lacrosse Association, the National Junior Lacrosse Association, the United States Lacrosse Officials Association, United States Lacrosse Coaches Association, United States Club Lacrosse Association, the US Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates, the Central Atlantic Lacrosse League and National Intercollegiate Lacrosse Officials Association.

Structure and Function

US Lacrosse's mission is to ensure a unified and responsive organization that develops and promotes the game of lacrosse in the United States. The organization provides insurance for its members and a set of rules, similar to NCAA rules, that are followed by many American club and youth leagues. The organization is also an advocate of good sportsmanship, especially in youth leagues. [cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/youthportal/index.phtml|title=US Lacrosse Youth Leagues|publisher=US Lacrosse |accessdate=2008-07-08]

The organization divides the United States into 60 regional chapters located in 38 states throughout the United States. [cite web|url=http://www.lacrosse.org/chapters/index.phtml|title=US Lacrosse Chapters|publisher=US Lacrosse |accessdate=2008-07-08]

US Lacrosse also publishes "Lacrosse" magazine monthly, with a circulation over 250,000 US Lacrosse members. Its mission is to "connect the sports community, educate players, coaches and officials, entertain fans and keep the membership of US Lacrosse informed." In addition to the print magazine, US Lacrosse, in conjunction with College Sports TV, maintains [http://laxmagazine.cstv.com/ "Lacrosse Magazine Online"] , which features daily lacrosse news, information, and scores, along with original features.

Membership

Fans, players, parents, coaches and officials can all be members of US Lacrosse. US Lacrosse members receive access to a variety of programs and services, discounts on books, videos, educational materials and U.S. National Team merchandise. Additionally, all members receive "Lacrosse Magazine", comprehensive lacrosse insurance, membership in their local chapter, free admission to the Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame and discounts on products and services.

Sport Development and Programs

Bridge (Building Relationships to Initiate Diversity, Growth and Enrichment): BRIDGE affiliated programs and the BRIDGE leadership committee, in conjunction with US Lacrosse, work collaboratively to introduce and expand the sport of lacrosse in nontraditional and underserved communities to embody diversity of players, coaches, officials and supporters. BRIDGE Affiliates provide integrated lacrosse instruction and life skills enrichment to youth. [cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/bridge/index.phtml |title=US Lacrosse Bridge Program|publisher=US Lacrosse |accessdate=2008-07-08]

Fast Break: The Fast Break program targets an area which has a limited amount of lacrosse being played, but displays strong enthusiasm for the sport and a willingness to learn and work with US Lacrosse to grow the game. responsibly. [cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/programs/fbi.phtml |title=US Lacrosse Fast Break Program|publisher=US Lacrosse |accessdate=2008-07-08]

New Start: The New Start Program is a developmental assistance program for first year men's and women's lacrosse teams or programs at any level. The program offers a package of information including: The New Start Manual, a CD of helpful documents such as a lacrosse Power Point presentation to show your school or community administrator, a 10-minute promotional video "This is Lacrosse", an official men's or women's lacrosse rulebook, a sample copy of the Parents' Guide to the Sport of Lacrosse and sample issues of Lacrosse magazine. [cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/programs/newstartprogram.phtml |title=US Lacrosse New Start Program|publisher=US Lacrosse |accessdate=2008-07-08]

Equipment Grants: Equipment grants are funded by US Lacrosse, thanks to the support of members and donors, as well as the contributions from participating Lacrosse Industry Council members. These grants minimize the expense of launching new girls’ and boys’ programs, and help to establish a legacy of lacrosse opportunity that will benefit countless youngsters for years to come. [cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/programs/equipmentgrants.phtml |title=US Lacrosse Equipment Grants|publisher=US Lacrosse |accessdate=2008-07-08]

Native Vision: US Lacrosse launched a new initiative in 2007, designed to reach out to the Native American community. US Lacrosse volunteers are assisting with Native Vision, a sport and life skills camp sponsored jointly by the NFL (National Football League) Players Association and the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. Through the efforts of US Lacrosse, the sport of lacrosse has been added to the curriculum for this camp, which brings together young people from Native American reservations across the country. [cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/programs/pdf/nativevisionLM.pdf |title=US Lacrosse Native Vision|publisher=US Lacrosse |accessdate=2008-07-08]

Camp Scholarships: The Camp Scholarship Program provides educational lacrosse opportunities for children between the ages of 6-18, made possible through generous tuition waivers by camp directors across the country. Since the inception of this program, over 900 children have attended camps through spots donated by camp directors nationwide. [cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/programs/camp.phtml |title=US Lacrosse Camp Scholarships|publisher=US Lacrosse |accessdate=2008-07-08]

US National Team

The United States participates in the International Lacrosse Federation and International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations competitions. All aspects of the US Men and Women's National and Under-19 National team programs are overseen by the US Men and Women's Lacrosse Division Directors, in conjunction with the US Men and Women's Lacrosse Athletes Councils and the US Lacrosse Men and Women's National and Under-19 Team Committees.

The US Men's team has won eight ILF World Lacrosse Championships, and did not lose a single World Games match between the 1978 championship and the 2006 tournament. The last World Games were held in London, Ontario, in 2006. The next Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships will take place in July 2008 in Coquitlam, British Columbia.

The US Women's team has won five IFWLA World Cup championships. The next IFWLA World Cup will be held in Prague, Czech Republic in July 2009.

Museum and National Hall of Fame

US Lacrosse operates the Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame on the campus of Johns Hopkins University. The museum is adjacent to Homewood Field, home of the Blue Jays. Each year, members are inducted into the Hall of Fame for their contributions to the sport. [cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/pdf/hof_nomelect_procedures05.pdf|title=Lacrosse Hall of Fame Nomination & Election Procedures|publisher=USLacrosse.org|accessdate=2008-06-23]

US Lacrosse is a Founding Sports Partner of the Sports Museum of America, joining more than 50 other single-sport Halls of Fame, National Governing Bodies, Museums and other organizations across North America.Cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE1DA1F3AF930A35751C1A9659C8B63|title=About New York; The House that Ruth Didn't Build|accessdate=2008-03-31|year=2003-12-03|author=Dan Barry|work=The New York Times]

All Americans

High School

References

External links

* [http://www.uslacrosse.org/ Official website]
* [http://laxmagazine.cstv.com/ "Lacrosse" magazine]