US Lacrosse National Convention on tap for the weekend
The annual US Lacrosse National Convention is coming up this weekend!
This is the big offseason weekend for many men’s and women’s lacrosse players, coaches and referees. It’s a chance to learn from more experienced coaches and referees, catch up with old friends, check out the new gear for 2009 and get ready for the season which is not so far off.
This year, The Baltimore Sun sponsors a rare opportunity for the general public to experience the convention with Saturday’s fan fest and Tommy Marechek shooting exhibition. The public will be able to walk through the convention’s vendor exhibition at the Baltimore Convention Center from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Many times, during those years that it was closed to outsiders, I often thought that getting to see the vendor area would be a dream come true for the huge lacrosse fan. There are manufacturers showing all the new designs for 2009, retailers selling all kinds of lacrosse goods, new product vendors everywhere, free giveaways, contests and a ton of lacrosse celebrities just hanging out.
It always depends on each individual’s schedule, but these events often feature the Gaits, the Powells, Tom Marechek, John Grant, Jen Adams, Amy Appelt, the entire US women’s team and most other big lax coaching and playing stars as they represent companies, give exhibitions or just hang out with coaching friends. My good friend, Liam Banks, is coming in tonight and will be on hand for all you Syracuse junkies. It’s an autograph bonanza if that’s what you are into. If you’re a coach of a kid’s team in the Baltimore area, you could totally thrill your team by bringing them to this once in a lifetime experience. And to top it off, at 2:00 p.m. Hall of Famer and STX Lacrosse celebrity Tom Marechek will give his famous shooting clinic which is a priceless experience for kids. He is the best ball handler ever and a great teacher of skills. This is not to be missed.
The Baltimore Sun will have a booth in the Vendor area and you should stop on by. Introduce yourself if you see me around. People who sign up for a Sun subscription with EZ pay will receive two tickets to the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic at M&T Bank Stadium on Feb. 28. That’s a great bonus for subscribing to the nation’s best lacrosse coverage!
The Fanfest costs 10 dollars per person to attend but that goes to a great cause; the BRIDGE program that helps underprivileged youth play lacrosse. The fan entrance is in the Charles Street Lobby of the Baltimore Convention Center. You don’t need to get a ticket beforehand. Just bring the ten bucks. There’s plenty of parking down there near the convention center and Camden Yards.
I hope to see you down there!
Here's the schedule of convention highlights:
THURSDAY
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: CEP: Level 2 Instructional Clinics
Coaches will engage in a full day of the most comprehensive coaching clinic that US Lacrosse offers. Participants will focus on tactics and practical coaching techniques.
FRIDAY
12-2 p.m. Women’s Opening Luncheon
Johns Hopkins coach Janine Tucker will lead discussions about the current working environment and working relationship between coaches and officials.
7-8 p.m.: Keynote Speaker, Cal Ripken, Jr.
Baseball’s Iron Man will share his story of perseverance and his love for teaching today’s youths.
SATURDAY
11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Live Field Demo -- Dom Zimmerman
The UMBC men’s lacrosse coach and US Lacrosse Hall of Famer will demonstrate drills that best simulate game situations.
12-4 p.m.: Fan Fest
Live demonstrations and access to EXPO Hall, where more than 125 exhibitors are displaying the latest and greatest equipment, apparel, technology and services, are open to the public during this time for only $10. A portion of the proceeds will go to the US Lacrosse BRIDGE program.
5-6 p.m.: Live Field Demo -- Biomechanics of Shooting
Watch two thrilling sharpshooters, Matt Danowski and Joe Walters, as they show off how to unload a wicked shot with ease.
8-9 p.m.: Live Field Demo: U.S. Women’s Team
Sue Heether, women’s national team head coach, accompanied by the country’s best female players will exhibit fantastic skills and techniques that is a must see.
P.S.: There's a women's team social at Mother's in Federal Hill from 9-11 p.m.
Here are the official releases for the event:
Baltimore Sun Media Group is the Media Sponsor for the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention and Sponsor of Fan Fest
BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Sun Media Group is the official media sponsor of the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention, presented by adidas, and the sponsor of Fan Fest, the most popular event at the US Lacrosse National Convention. Fan Fest will take place Saturday, Jan. 17, 12 to 4 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center. During this time, the largest lacrosse exhibition in the country will open its doors to the public. Over 140 vendors will showcase the latest lacrosse equipment, clothing, technology and more.
The cost to attend Fan Fest is $10 per person, which will be collected on-site in the Charles Street Lobby of the Baltimore Convention Center. A portion of the proceeds will benefit BRIDGE, a US Lacrosse program that works to introduce the sport of lacrosse and life skills enrichment to youth in inner city and underserved communities.
Fan Fest attendees can also view live field demonstrations, including Hall of Famer Tom Marechek’s (Glenelg H.S. coach) “Mechanics of Shooting” demo at 2:00 p.m.
“The Baltimore region is the true home of lacrosse, and as the most comprehensive source of news and sports in Maryland, The Baltimore Sun Media Group is excited to sponsor an event that brings this community together, “ says Timothy E. Ryan, President and Publisher of the Baltimore Sun Media Group.
“The Baltimore Sun does an excellent job covering the state’s team sport and it is only fitting that the best daily newspaper in Maryland is the media sponsor for the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention,” said US Lacrosse President and CEO, Steve Stenersen. “The convention is back in Baltimore this year and it is going to be a big one. Cal Ripken, Jr. is our keynote speaker, for the first time ever we have two turf fields in the convention center, and over 100 of the best coaches and officials in the country will share their expertise with over 5,000 convention attendees.”
Registered convention attendees may continue to access the expo hall and live field during this time as well as throughout the convention weekend. For more information about the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention please visit www.uslacrosse.org/convention.
About The Baltimore Sun Media Group
The Baltimore Sun Media Group, a Tribune company, publishes The Sun, baltimoresun.com, 30 community newspapers and magazines, and a growing portfolio of targeted print and online products, including b and bthesite.com. In print and online, the Baltimore Sun Media Group reaches 1.2 million readers each week in the Baltimore area, making it the region's most widely read source of news and information.
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 http://www.uslacrosse.org.
Thousands of Lacrosse Coaches Descend on Baltimore
BALTIMORE – Thousands of lacrosse coaches will descend on Charm City this weekend. No, it’s not one of Obama’s subcommittees nor are they in the Raven’s fan club. The crowds of folks brandishing lacrosse sticks and donning windbreakers down by the Inner Harbor are in town for a different reason: the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention, the largest lacrosse-specific education and networking event in the world. Over 5,000 lacrosse coaches and officials will pile into the Baltimore Convention Center this Friday through Sunday.
You might even see some of the laxers trade in their sticks for Louisville Sluggers on Friday evening when Cal Ripken, Jr. keynotes the perennial convention at 7:00 p.m. That’s right, Baltimore’s Ironman will kick off the 2009 lacrosse season.
Any lacrosse fan can get in on the event on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 12-4 p.m. for Fan Fest, sponsored by the Baltimore Sun Media Group, when the doors open to the public. The lacrosse expo hall and live field demonstrations will be accessible to all ages. Admission to Fan Fest is $10 and a portion of the proceeds goes to US Lacrosse's BRDIGE program. BRIDGE works to introduce the sport and life skills enrichment programs to youth in inner city and underserved communities.
2009 is the first time in six years the US Lacrosse National Convention has been held in Baltimore. The convention will be at the Baltimore Convention Center through 2011. According to the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention will have an economic impact of $5,180,000.
