Elaine Knoblach

Exceptional organizer of tournaments and clinics, outstanding leader of youth lacrosse programs, coordinator of critical umpire services, University of Delaware graduate, record-setting assist leader, devoted and hard-working participant in national and local lacrosse organizations, extraordinary volunteer for the sport of lacrosse.

There are few individuals in the metropolitan Washington area who have ever touched the sport of lacrosse at so many levels as Elaine Pomian Knobloch.  Her multiple involvements and the energy she brings to them are truly extraordinary.

Elaine began her lacrosse career as an attacker at Upper Merion High School in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.  She joined the early varsity teams at the University of Delaware and helped her squad to two national championships. Elaine was named to the all-Tournament team at the Nationals in her senior year.  She graduated in 1982 as the all-time leader in assists and second in career goals and total points.

Moving to the Washington, DC area in 1982, Elaine immediately began a life-long association as a player with the area post-collegiate lacrosse club:  the Washington Women’s Lacrosse Association (now Capital Women’s Lacrosse Club).  For the past 20 years, she has served as team coordinator and organizer.  In addition, she played on the South District club teams at the U.S. Nationals from 1983-93.  Elaine took on the role of assigner for the Washington Lacrosse Umpires Association in 1995, a job she continues to perform.  She has also organized youth umpire classes in Montgomery County since 2004.

Elaine has been at the forefront of youth lacrosse development -- north of the Potomac River.  For two years, she directed the Washington Area Girls’ Lacrosse Association, a youth development program.  She left to found and direct Check It Out Lacrosse, a lacrosse program in Montgomery County for middle school age girls.  Elaine subsequently founded and facilitated the Metro Girls’ Lacrosse League, as the sport has exploded among young girls in the county.  Among Elaine’s other longtime and recent lacrosse activities: coordinator of the local U.S. Lacrosse National Clinic Day (formerly USWLA clinic); co-director of the Washington Women’s Summer Lacrosse League; volunteer coach at Richard Montgomery High School; and co-chair of the Cherry Blossom Lacrosse Tournament.

Elaine’s involvements do not end there.  She served on the Executive Board, and as treasurer, of the USWLA and co-chaired the National Tournament in 1992.  She has devoted significant time as a board member of the Lacrosse Foundation and later U.S. Lacrosse, including service on the executive board and finance committee.  She continues to serve on the board of the Potomac Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse.

She and her husband, Tim, reside in Rockville, Maryland with their three children, Leslie, Amy, and Matt.