This story appears in the January 2020 edition of US Lacrosse Magazine. Don't get the mag? Head to USLacrosse.org to subscribe.
If you’re a student of lacrosse, there’s no better classroom than the US Lacrosse Convention, taking place Jan. 10-12 in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Designed for coaches, officials and administrators, the three-day conference features more than 120 sessions with some of the top minds in the sport. There’s also a one-day FanFest on Jan. 11 designed for younger players and their families to meet world-class players, see the latest gear and get fired up for the season.
Here are some things to look for at the convention:
COMING AT YOU LIVE
Seeing is believing, and one of the best ways to learn is by seeing the teaching in action. The STX Live Field and Warrior/Brine Demo Field areas allow presenters to work with a group of players so you can not only see the drills, but how the coaches teach.
NETWORKING
The convention has always been a place to meet people and share ideas with peers from around the country, but that has been taken up a notch this year. A Friday night networking event, sponsored by Valley Forge Sports, will be held at the Field House, located adjacent to the convention center. It’s free for attendees and includes food, drink and prize options.
RESOURCES
More than 100 vendors will be featured in the Expo Hall, a tremendous resource for coaches and leagues to see the latest gear and apparel, training resources, tournaments, facilities and more.
STAR POWER
Some of the biggest stars in the sport will be at the convention for Fan Fest. Among the pro and national team athletes scheduled to attend this year are Trevor Baptiste, Taylor Cummings, Myles Jones, Kylie Ohlmiller and Matt Rambo.
X’S, O’S AND STRIPES
The lineup includes Team USA coaches Kelly Amonte Hiller, John Danowski, Jenny Levy and Regy Thorpe and championship winning coaches Cathy Reese (Maryland), Jim Stagnitta (Whipsnakes) and Lars Tiffany (Virginia). There’s also a top-notch lineup of presenters to help you improve as an official and sessions geared specifically for youth program administrators.