BALTIMORE – (Nov. 11) – US Lacrosse announced the recipients of the 2008 US Lacrosse Chapter Grants today. The US Lacrosse Chapter Grant Program provides chapters with additional funding to assist them in fulfilling chapter needs and ultimately growing the sport of lacrosse in their area. Grants are awarded based on the number of applications submitted and the proposed use of the grants by the applying chapter. This year, US Lacrosse awarded a combined total of $17,500 to 15 different chapters.

The following chapter grant winners will use their grant for the following programs:

Alabama/Mississippi – Will host a kickoff exhibition event in order to recruit players. The chapter’s primary goal is the formation of a youth lacrosse league in lower Alabama. In addition, the chapter will hold a youth clinic to follow the exhibition.

Alaska – Will host a US Lacrosse Coaching Education Level 1 Clinic and organize a tournament for summer 2009. Additionally, the chapter is working diligently to promote lacrosse through the Physical Education department in the Anchorage School District

Arizona – Will purchase Automated External Defibrillator (AED) so that it can be available at games and practices for teams who are members of the Arizona chapter. The chapter will provide training on its use and believes the AED will provide a safe environment for players and spectators.

Connecticut – Will host a US Lacrosse Coaching Education Level 1 Clinic and offer a Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) workshop for coaches in the chapter. The chapter states that it is firmly committed to bringing the quality of coaching in the state of Connecticut to a higher level for the benefit of the youth and for maintaining the integrity of the sport of lacrosse.

Georgia – Will use its grant to assist new high school and youth programs in getting off the ground. The Georgia chapter also plans on holding coaching clinics, helping with equipment needs and holding informational meetings for parents in order to educate them on the sport of lacrosse.

Houston – This chapter was awarded a grant to provide funds to expand an after-school lacrosse program that introduces lacrosse to inner city elementary schools. The chapter will provide the after-school program with equipment. This program reaches out to segments of the population that does not generally have exposure to lacrosse and provides an opportunity for the elementary school children to learn, participate and enjoy the game.

Michigan – Awarded chapter grant to support Girls Lacrosse Day in Michigan. The Michigan chapter initiated the state-wide day and hosts several opportunities for girls new to the sport to learn basic skills, watch and participate in a lacrosse game, see equipment, learn about US Lacrosse and what the chapter has to offer. The grant helped in providing free sticks and goggles to 150 girls.

New Jersey – Awarded chapter grant to start an interscholastic lacrosse program for charter schools in the New Jersey Education Consortium’s network. The lacrosse program will be phased in over a two-year period. The chapter will provide clinics and workshops to coaches and players outlining the sport of lacrosse including the sport’s rules and techniques.

Philadelphia – Will continue to promote the growth of Lacrosse in the Pennsylvania Lacrosse Association’s (PLA) Inner City Program, Berks County, and other areas where the PLA can assist in the growth of lacrosse. The grant will also help in hosting a US Lacrosse Level 1 Coaching Education Clinic.

Potomac – Awarded grant to fund an annual meeting of the youth commissioners in the chapter area to promote group membership in US Lacrosse and well as promote the US Lacrosse Coaching Education Program, PCA Workshops and US Lacrosse Coaching Education Program certification.

San Diego – Will assist new programs with start up costs such as coaching stipends, balls, coaching training, uniforms, and other expenses that hinder new programs from getting off the ground. The program benefits one boys’ team and one girls’ team each year, selecting the new teams based on the greatest financial need. This will assist in supporting the growth of lacrosse in an already fast growing area.

South Carolina – Awarded a chapter grant to help fund equipment, field space for practices/games, referee allowance and other start-up costs needed in this chapter’s area where lacrosse is growing rapidly.

Utah – Awarded a chapter grant to support the third annual Utah Lacrosse Association Coaches Convention. The player population in the Utah leagues that the convention serves is more than 4,000. Attendees also include the lacrosse communities of Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, and Montana to the event.

Western Maryland – Will host a US Lacrosse Coaching Education Level 1 Clinic for chapter and surrounding area members. The chapters’ goal is to continue to educate and serve their chapter area coaches, in proper coaching techniques via US Lacrosse Coaching Education Programs. The objective is to ensure that all area adults have the access to and the ability to receive continuing education.

Wisconsin - Will host a US Lacrosse Coaching Education Level 1 Clinic to provide the educational program for coaches to better prepare them for working with the youth and high school players and to have all boys’ and girls’ coaches Level 1 certified by the start of the spring 2009 season.

More information on these and other US Lacrosse chapters can be found at http://www.uslacrosse.org/chapters/index.phtml.

About US Lacrosse
US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse. US Lacrosse has more than 250,000 members in 60 regional chapters around the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. To learn more about US Lacrosse, please visit www.uslacrosse.org.