BALTIMORE — The US Lacrosse National Convention, the largest educational opportunity for lacrosse coaches and officials is now just a month away and nearly 3,000 individuals have already registered for this year's event. The convention is presented by Harrow Sports and will be held from Jan. 12-15, 2006 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Philadelphia Marriott.

Online registration is available on the US Lacrosse Web site at www.uslacrosse.org through Dec. 31, 2005 for $60. If space remains, walk-up registration will be available on site for $85. Hotel information is available on the main convention page at http://www.uslacrosse.org/events/convention06.phtml.

Listed below are some of the highlights of this year's convention:

General Highlights
• The "On-Field Experience," presented by Warrior, where players will demonstrate drills and plays and coaches will demonstrate on-field coaching techniques and strategies. There are 15 sessions scheduled for the "On-Field Experience." The synthetic field used for the area is being provided by Sprinturf.
• An opening session sponsored by CSTV, with a special video presentation of highlights from the 2005 college lacrosse season and a procession of National Lacrosse Hall of Fame members in attendance.
• The US Lacrosse Youth Council Awards Breakfast, sponsored by Dick's Sporting Goods, honoring youth lacrosse leaders from around the country.
• Three sessions from the US Lacrosse Sports Science & Safety Committee, including an open forum to ask medical questions relating to lacrosse.
• A Positive Coaching Alliance Workshop conducted by former U.S. men’s team player Reid Jackson.
• The inaugural presentation of the James Leo Muhlfelder Award for Service to Lacrosse. The award will be presented by US Lacrosse and the Lacrosse Industry Council.
• The largest vendor area in event history with more than 100 organizations in attendance, and a Vendor Extravaganza on Friday night.
• Nightly entertainment in the "Lax Lounge" in Franklin Hall.
• Two showings of the award-winning "Keeper of the Kohn" documentary, which chronicles the life of National Lacrosse Hall of Fame member Peter Kohn.
• The annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast.
• A "Verbal Judo" session available to men’s and women's officials.

Men's Highlights
• A tremendous line-up of speakers that includes 2006 U.S. men's team head coach John Desko (Syracuse), 2002 U.S. men's team head coach Jack Emmer (retired Army, NCAA's all-time winningest coach), 2005 NCAA Division II champion head coach Jack Kaley (New York Tech), and several past USILA National Coach of the Year recipients: Michael Caravana (Woodberry Forest/2006 U.S. team), Terry Corcoran (Elizabethtown), John Danowski (Hofstra), Matt Kerwick (Hobart/2006 U.S. team), Ray Rostan (Hampden-Sydney), Tony Seaman (Towson) and Jim Stagnitta (Rutgers).
• A demonstration by the players and coaching staff for the 2006 U.S. men's team, sponsored by STX Lacrosse.
• The Men's Division Coaches Council Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Lax World and the MDCC, honoring recently retired coaching greats Jack Emmer (Army) and Sid Jamieson (Bucknell).
• The NCAA Rules Clinic for men's collegiate officials and six additional men's officiating clinics coordinated by the US Lacrosse MDOC Training Committee.
• Nearly 80 colleges and universities are signed up to participate in a recruiting fair on Friday evening.

Women's Highlights
• The New Rules/Points of Emphasis session for coaches and officials on Saturday  morning. We are reprising the Rules Breakout Discussions following the general session to give both coaches and officials an opportunity for in depth discussions about rules/rules interpretations.
• An expanded presence in the "On-Field Experience," presented by Warrior, with presentations by the U.S. women's team, Ricky Fried (Georgetown), Crista Samaras (U.S. World Cup team) and Bowen Holden (Boston College).
• Coaching classroom sessions packed with skills for every level of coach and all aspects of the game.
• Officials will be tackling the subjects of the draw, stick-to-body contact and hard boundaries during in-depth sessions.
• A special session for first-time attendees to help them choose the appropriate sessions to attend.
• The return of the Roundtable Breakfast Discussions on Sunday. The cost is $10 and includes a buffet breakfast and great conversation on the topic of your choosing. If you have  already completed your registration and didn't sign up for a Roundtable, it's  not too late! Visit the convention homepage and click on the purchase tickets link.
• More than 100 colleges and universities are signed up to participate in a recruiting fair on Friday evening.

A complete schedule of clinic presentations and meetings is available on the US Lacrosse Web site at http://www.uslacrosse.org/events/pdf/uslcon06_masterschedule.pdf

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse. Harrow Sports is the presenting sponsor of the US Lacrosse National Convention for the second consecutive year. To learn more about Harrow Sports, please visit http://www.harrowsports.com.

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