Why should your child play Lacrosse?!

An Introduction to the “Fastest Game on Two Feet”

…and the fastest growing sport in the United States

What is Lacrosse?

• Team Sporto Spring season

• Both boys and girls versions of the sporto 10 boys on the fieldo 12 girls on the field

• Position for everyoneo Attacko Midfieldo Defenseo Goalie

Lacrosse is for Everyone!

• Whereas other sports and positions have physical limitationso i.e. basketball, football, etc.

• Easy for lacrosse players to find their style of play and use size and skill to their advantage

• Excellent conditioning

• Some contact, but primarily a finesse sport

Where does Birmingham Fit in?

• Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Assoc.• Birmingham Magic – Varsity/Club team• Phillips Academy – Junior High Team• We need youth to pick up the Sport!

o The longer players have the stick in their hands, the more likely they will be to succeed!

Benefits of LAX• After-school activity• Fundraising to defray costs• Contribute and Be part of a team• Summer programs?• Equal opportunity sport• Easy to pick-up!• Football players? Offseason conditioning!• Opens doors after high school

Lacrosse: The long run

• Fastest growing sport

• Started in Northeast

• Spreading south and across the countryo Practice yearlong here!

• Scholarships and help getting into college is available to Lacrosse student-athletes

How fast is it growing?Men’s Lacrosse - # of Programs nationwide

• DI – 2005: 57 2013: 63

• DII – 2005: 31 2013: 50

• DIII – 2005: 130 2013: 209

...and counting

How fast is it growing?

Women’s Lacrosse - # of Programs nationwide

• DI - 2005: 82 2013: 100

• DII - 2005: 35 2013: 91

• DIII – 2005: 153 2013: 242

…and counting

How fast is it growing?

Here’s your other options as far as greatest growth rate over the past 5 years in the NCAA.

MENS:Growth Rates of NCAA Sports(in past 5 years)

1. Lacrosse........................22.4%2. Volleyball.......................13.9%3. Cross Country..................7.3%4. Indoor Track....................6.4%5. Golf/Swimming.................4.7%

WOMENS:Growth Rate of NCAA Sports(in past 5 years)

1. Lacrosse........................30.3%2. Golf...............................15.3%3. Ice Hockey....................13.5%4. Indoor Track....................8.4%5. Cross Country..................6.9%

Where is it Growing?

Where is it Growing?

Where is it Growing?

Where is it Growing?

Close to homeALABAMA• Birmingham – Southern College• Huntingdon CollegeMississippi• Millsaps CollegeTennessee• Vanderbilt University• Rhodes College• Sewannee – University of the South• Tennessee Wesleyan

Close to HomeGeorgia• Reinhardt University• Savannah College of Art & Design• Shorter University• Berry College• Piedmont College• Lagrange College• Oglethorpe University• Mercer University

Schools also in…Florida, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, etc.

TITLE IXMost schools with lacrosse have Men’s and Women’s programs, however…

• Women’s collegiate lax growing even faster

• Schools looking for balance in athletics

Especially big time football programs have adopted Women’s LAX

My Experience

• Youth lacrosse starting at age 7• Modified lacrosse Junior Varsity Varsity• Lacrosse is highly competitive in Upstate NY• I was never recruited, walked on to DIII program

*Coaches recruit locally first!

• Started 4 years at SUNY Brockport

My ExperienceAt SUNY Brockport:

• “Student First, Athlete Second”• Freshman Study Halls• Study hall for any players with less than a

B average• Traveled, free equipment, stayed active• Helped me find major and excel in

classroom*Student-Athlete recognition Junior/Senior Year• Enhanced college experience… In a good

way!

What to take away?• Lacrosse is a positive opportunity now and

in the future

No matter what level…stay BUSY + stay ACTIVE + stay INVOLVED

= Student Success• Chance to Shine

o We live in a region where Lacrosse is growing fast and players are needed!

• Continue Educationo Use lacrosse to get you places!

All the information is there. The benefits are clear. All we have to do

now is get a lacrosse stick in their hands, and let the kids take care of

the rest.

QUESTIONS???

Learn more

• GBYLA.org• uslacrosse.org• www.laxpower.com