Lacrosse is a seasonal sport. But the hustle and bustle at US Lacrosse never stops.

As we commemorate the year in our annual “Best of Lacrosse” edition, we revisit briefly 57 accomplishments (in no particular order) the sport’s national governing body achieved in 2017 alone.

Coaches

• Awarded Breschi Scholarships to children of two coaches

• Hosted more than 100 Coach Development Program clinics

• Hosted CDP clinic at US Lacrosse geared towards urban lacrosse coaches

• Held webinar series introducing coaches to Lacrosse Athlete Development Model

• Offered PCA courses free to coach members

• Hosted annual convention (LaxCon)

• Provided tips and news through monthly newsletter and blog posts

Growth

• Hosted Lax Spooktacular 4v4 Playday

• Launched Lacrosse Communities Project in Albany and Cleveland

• Coordinated series of town hall meetings around country

• Held TryLax clinics for brand new players

• Assisted Ferris School, reform school for boys in Delaware, to introduce lacrosse

• Launched new platform for US Lacrosse Nationals

• Hosted Peak Performance Camp for players

• Hosted Urban Lacrosse Alliance conference at headquarters

• Coordinated National Wall Ball Challenge

• Hosted Olympic Day at headquarters

• Hosted annual Women’s National Tournament

• Hosted PE workshops around the country

• Awarded Diversity and Inclusion grants for local outreach

• Awarded more than 125 First Stick Program grants

• Awarded chapter grants and contributed additional funding to chapters

• Hosted games of nearly all levels representing 18 states and five countries

PHOTO BY JOHN STROHSACKER

National Teams

• Hosted NCAA champion Maryland, semifinalist Towson at Team USA Fall Classic

• Announced National Teams Development Program, to begin in 2018

• Participated in indoor Heritage Cup against Canada

• Held U.S. men’s Blue-White game

• Chronicled U.S. women’s team achievements with seven-part video series.

• Women’s team swept FIL World Cup and IWGA championships

• Expanded national teams staffing with addition of high performance director

• Named indoor coach (Regy Thorpe) at the earliest juncture in history

• Men’s and women’s teams competed in Spring Premiere

Officials

• Partnered with Illinois High School Association on officials development

• Evolved officiating structure to streamline support to local organizations

• Hosted national Officials Leadership Conference in California

• Hosted College Players Officials Academy event

• Hosted series of officials education webinars

• Provided tips and news through monthly newsletter and blog posts

Rules

• Simplified women’s stick stringing rules

• Approved optional unified field for boys and girls

• Produced multiple rules interpretation videos for coaches/officials

• Distributed first set of standalone youth rulebooks

• Released first standardized rules for youth box lacrosse in U.S.

Safety

• Funded research on youth injuries, helmet efficacy and reducing ACL risk

• Partnered with One Beat CPR on AED program

• Created awareness of CDC drug initiatives

• Signed marketing partnership with MedStar to promote safety content

• Published annual safety research report

• Assisted in development of NOCSAE chest protector standard that passed in 2017

• Hosted safety symposium in conjunction with LaxCon

• Announced partnership with the American Heart Association

PHOTO BY JOHN STROHSACKER

Miscellaneous

• Led awareness efforts for early recruiting legislation reform for NCAA lacrosse

• Inducted National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Class

• Honored Elaine Knobloch and Warren Kimber with Lifetime Achievement Awards

• Honored Chris Sailer and IWLCA Trailblazers at new facility

• Awarded Tewaaraton Native American scholarships

• Honored Godekeraw and Amtacha Award winners at the collegiate club level