Years ago, the Potomac Chapter of US Lacrosse decided that one of the strategies that it could utilize to help elevate the level of local youth lacrosse coaching was to coordinate a preseason education day. Bring coaches, clinicians, and officials together to share and learn.

Many point to late chapter president Homer Schwartz as the founder of the event, even if they can’t recall the exact year of the first gathering. All they know is that it now has a synergy of its own and is considered an annual tradition in Northern Virginia.

“This started as a way to raise the level of coaching and it now creates a lot of momentum for the start of the season,” said current chapter president John Breheny, who estimates the event dates back to the early 2000s.

The event kicks off each year with a keynote speaker to help inspire the attendees and set the tone for the day. This year, the speaker was Maryland head coach John Tillman. In prior years, Hall of Fame coaches Dave Pietramala of Johns Hopkins and Dom Starsia of Virginia have served as the keynotes.

Following the keynote, the half-day gathering includes girls’ and boys’ rule interpretation sessions, classroom educational sessions and, weather permitting, field sessions. The topics range from practice planning to draw drills, goalie coaching to proper warm-up techniques. The event is free.

This year, for the first time, the organizers also offered an optional US Lacrosse Level 1 Coach Development Program clinic, which had 85 participants.

The key to the success of the event, which attracts more than 300 coaches each year, is collaboration. The Potomac Chapter partners with the largest association in its region, the Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League (NVYLL), to host the clinic. Local officials associations also are present. Marymount University in Arlington serves as the venue and waives all fees normally associated with the use of its facilities.

“We have 25 clubs split across multiple towns and counties in Northern Virginia, so we want to bring them together for a common reference,” said Howard Kartel, chair of the NVYLL’s executive committee. “The chapter really goes out of its way to make this a meaningful day.”

For Kartel, there’s little doubt that the preseason gathering makes a strong impact on coaches.

“During the season when I am out at games, I will consistently hear coaches say, ‘That’s how the officials told us before the season that they were going to call that rule,’ so I know that they were paying attention,” he said.

Mark Eissele, US Lacrosse’s manager of membership and regional development for the Western Mid-Atlantic Region, notes that the cooperation between the various entities is a healthy model to emulate to support the growth of the game.

“The collaboration between US Lacrosse, the Potomac Chapter, the local officials groups, and the leadership of both the NVYLL and its participating community programs is very strong,” he said. “Ultimately, by training and developing coaches, they ensure the safest and most enjoyable experience for all.”

“We’re just trying to make it easier for the coaches to do what they do,” Breheny said.

Locally Grown

Maryland

The city of Baltimore hosted another extremely successful US Lacrosse Convention. Hundreds of coaches and officials received training and education and thousands enjoyed learning from some of the best speakers and leaders in the sport today, setting the nation up for a strong spring season. Sessions are now available for viewing on our Learning Management System, which is accessible through your US Lacrosse account.

Celebrating achievement, excellence, and contribution to the sport, the Baltimore and Chesapeake Halls of Fame each inducted new classes in early 2018. Both events were wonderful evenings highlighting tremendous effort, commitment and passion for lacrosse.

Virginia

In preparation for the stress and hectic nature of the spring, the local lacrosse leadership in the Charlottesville, Richmond, and Tidewater areas each hosted preseason kickoff events. While these were social gatherings, many great ideas were shared and plans for growth and development were generated.

Central Pennsylvania, Potomac, West Virginia, Western Maryland

As the sport of lacrosse continues to diversify and be introduced in new areas, many are taking advantage of the various programs and grants US Lacrosse provides. The Central Pennsylvania, Potomac, West Virginia, and Western Maryland areas lead the way receiving more than 25 combined grants with a total retail value exceeding $100,000.

Picture This

First Draw

Catonsville (Md.) Youth Lacrosse, a community program celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, kicked off this season by hosting their annual Catonsville Classic event. This year, it grew to four locations and 60 teams, including one from the Godstowe Preparatory School in England. They can be seen winning the draw as they faced the Cobra girls of Howard County (Md.) in an early morning game.

My USL Rep

Mark Eissele, Western Mid-Atlantic

Mark Eissele joined US Lacrosse in August 2014 and oversees development and growth efforts in the Western Mid-Atlantic Region, including parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Mark’s US Lacrosse experience started many years earlier, when his kids began playing and he found himself coaching. He took advantage of the Coach Development Program to become a certified coach in both games. Now his kids both play in high school, so he can be found in the stands cheering or trying to keep up as he plays for two “old-man” club teams.

How can US Lacrosse help develop the sport in your area? Contact Mark at meissele@uslacrosse.org or 410-235-6882, extension 169.