DATE: Dec. 23, 2002
CONTACT: Paul Krome, pkrome@lacrosse.org

US Lacrosse Honors 13 Individuals With Youth Lacrosse Awards

Baltimore — US Lacrosse will honor 13 youth lacrosse volunteers from around the nation for their service to the youth game, as announced today by Jennifer Allen, director of programs and services. The 13 individuals, ranging from coaches and officials to program administrators, will be honored at the US Lacrosse Youth Council Awards Breakfast presented by Bacharach and STX in Baltimore Saturday, Jan. 11, as part of the 2003 US Lacrosse National Convention presented by Under Armour.

The Youth Council collected nominations from around the country for individuals who have made great contributions to youth lacrosse programs. The 13 honorees represent nine states.

“The youth playing lacrosse now represent the future of the game, and we're grateful to the 13 award recipients, and to all youth lacrosse volunteers, for their commitment, time, and hard work to improve youth lacrosse throughout the U.S.,” said Allen.

The Youth Lacrosse Award recipients:

Girls' Coach of the Year: Edward Shea, Catonsville, Md.

Shea has been involved as a coach and/or field director for eight years with the Catonsville Youth Lacrosse Program. He also has volunteered for the Believe in Tomorrow Foundation that raises funds for programs serving terminally ill children.

Boys' Coach of the Year: Art O'Brien, Garden City, N.Y.

O'Brien is a 17-year coach in the Garden City Rams recreation program. Many of his former players have gone on to All-America careers in college.

Program Administrator of the Year: Beth Curry, Richmond, Va.

A member of the 1990 U.S. Women's Team, Curry founded the Richmond Lacrosse Academy, Inc., a motivational lacrosse program, and she has implemented numerous lacrosse initiatives throughout Richmond.

Exceptional Urban/Motivational Coaches: Andrew McDonald, San Francisco; Josh Miller, Van Nuys, Calif.

McDonald and Miller established Palega (Calif.) Youth Lacrosse, an inner-city (San Francisco) program that competes in the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association.

Most Innovative Coach: Kevin Sheehan, Massapequa, N.Y.

Sheehan founded youth lacrosse teaching camps on Long Island. He has incorporated techniques from other sports, equipment changes, and the effects of the indoor and international games into his instruction methods.

Outstanding Youth Official: Steve Treman, Wilmington, N.C.

Treman is a 12-year officiating veteran and the head official for New Hanover County Schools' lacrosse program. He conducts officiating clinics, recruits officials to meet the rising demand, and also serves as an assistant coach at J.T. Hoggard High School.

Outstanding Youth Official: James Tighe, Duxbury, Mass.

Tighe has officiated lacrosse at all levels for more than 30 years. He also has served as an administrator of the Massachusetts Bay Youth Lacrosse League and a high school officials' commissioner.

Outstanding Contribution to the Game (Four Winners)

John Sardella, Liverpool, N.Y.

Sardella founded the Brine Upstate Lacrosse League in 1994, and it now boasts some 150 teams and more than 3,500 players. He coaches at Liverpool junior and senior high schools.

Beth Stone, Buffalo, N.Y.

Stone has been involved in the sport in Western New York for more than 15 years. She has been a coach, coordinator of boys' and girls' youth programs and tournaments, and a resource for area coaches.

Maureen O'Shea, Greenwich, Conn.

O'Shea has promoted and cultivated lacrosse in Connecticut. She is a coach and has established programs such as the Connecticut Lacrosse Futures and Greenwich Youth Lacrosse. She also helped organize the first Connecticut lacrosse coaches convention.

William Duquette, Ocean City, Md.

Duquette has been working with youth lacrosse for more than 40 years. He helped establish the Maryland Youth Lacrosse Association, serving as its president for 26 years, and is now active in Maryland's Eastern Shore Youth Lacrosse Association.

Growth of the Game: Rob Rhein, York, Pa.

Rhein has led the growth of York County lacrosse, building a league that boasts 600 players, up from one team of 20 players just five years ago. A teacher and coach, Rhein also helps community volunteers establish and build recreation lacrosse programs.

Note to Media: For further information or to arrange interviews with the above honorees, contact Jennifer Allen at 410.235.6882 x121 or jallen@lacrosse.org.

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the national governing body of men's and women's lacrosse. For more information, visit www.lacrosse.org.

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