This is
WHO
This is
WE ARE. WHAT WE DO. US Lacrosse embodies more than 400,000 members, 7,000 donors, 300 national volunteers, 70 staffers and 64 regional chapters working together for the positive development of the sport. We invite you to see evidence of the leadership that US Lacrosse is providing to nurture the sport with a condensed version of our 2012 Annual Report on the following pages. For the full version of the document, please visit: uslacrosse.org/annualreport
A Publication of US Lacrosse
April 2013 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE
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HEADING SAFETY RESEARCH 2012 was a busy year for Dr. Trey Crisco, director of the Bioengineering Lab in the Department of Orthopaedics at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown Medical School in Providence. Through a study funded jointly by US Lacrosse and NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment), Crisco spent much of the year focused on testing and measuring head accelerations from stick checks in girls’ and women’s lacrosse. Ultimately, Crisco’s data could be used to shape the standards on women’s lacrosse headgear, because understanding the unique relationship between head acceleration speeds and resulting head traumas has been a key component in the standards discussion. Head acceleration includes how fast the head moves and then stops after an
Enhance the Lacrosse Experience Improving the on-field experience is a primary focus for US Lacrosse. We’re working to make the sport better by developing national rules and standards, leading the charge for player safety and providing unmatched educational resources.
6,825 19,000
Coaches who have completed Level 1 online educational courses US L acrosse
Coaching education progr am
men’s and women’s officials who took the new US Lacrosse online tests in 2012
impact. It’s a measure associated with brain injuries, including concussions. The importance of this work is not lost on the former collegiate lacrosse player who has also coached girls’ youth lacrosse for 12 years. “Unlike the boys’ game, where head injuries are dominated by body-to-body or head-to-head contact, in the girls, we don’t see that, but we are seeing the stick impacting the head,” Crisco said. “So the goal of this study was to get an understanding of the relationship between the severity of the stick checks and the resulting head accelerations.” Crisco and his research team spent five months on product development, design and setup before beginning the data collection phase of the study in July. That process involved bringing female lacrosse players that ranged in age from
20
of the nation’s largest leagues, representing more than
150,000 players, were among the early adopters of USL’s new age-based youth rules.
US L acrosse
Officials education progr am
320,000
Guidebooks distributed to players, parents, coaches and officials to help them better understand the rules and reasons behind them.
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12 to 28 into the lab and having them each take 36 swings at a customized crash test dummy head form. The head form was fitted with an accelerometer that captured the resulting movement, and the sticks were also fitted with sensors to measure swing speed and accelerations. Designated spots on the front, side and top of the head form were marked as targets for the players. Measurements were recorded on each swing. Just getting to that point seemed like a victory for Crisco’s team. “The experiment itself consisted of tracking the full motion of the stick in 3D and measuring the acceleration of the head form on the model of a neck,” he said. “We had to develop the software to track the stick, then we had to modify the sensors and their electronics to use in this application, then we had to design and develop the neck that supports these head forms because they don’t have necks when they are
WHO WE ARE. This is WHAT WE DO.
used in helmet testing. We also had to validate all the test apparatus.” Crisco, a member of the US Lacrosse Sports Science & Safety Committee, shared preliminary findings from the study with other researchers at the ASTM International conference in Atlanta in November. He is also providing a full report on his findings to both NOCSAE and US Lacrosse, and is authoring an article that summarizes the study for publication in a professional journal. Meanwhile, US Lacrosse continues to serve as an active partner in head protection discussions within both NOCSAE and ASTM, and attended all meetings of both organizations in 2012 to provide further education on the issue. “What we are looking for is a piece of equipment that can serve as an intervention for head impact,” said Ann
Carpenetti, managing director of games administration at US Lacrosse. “We don’t want to make changes to our rules until we have a standard based on research. We need to do our due diligence.”
US Lacrosse spent more than $100,000 in 2012 on lacrosse-specific safety initiatives, and recently hired its first director of health and sport safety.
Elevate the Visibility of Lacrosse Lacrosse has never been more popular, but there is still a long ways to go to expose more people to the excitement of our sport. Through our National Teams Program and a robust communications platform, US Lacrosse is working to put lacrosse in the spotlight.
40 2.8 mil. MAGAZINE
copies distributed
nations at the 2014 FIL Men’s World Championships, July 10-19 in Denver, Colo.
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Combined World Championships for Team USA, the most of any country. The U.S. Men’s U19 Team avenged two pool play losses to defeat Canada for the 2012 FIL World Championship in Turku, Finland.
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FIRST STICK PROGRAM “Without the First Stick Program, I don’t believe we would have lacrosse this year.” Those were the words of gratitude and appreciation by Kristin Ventresca, program administrator and coach for Montvale Lacrosse in Oakdale, Conn. Through Kristin’s efforts, Montvale applied for both a youth and high school girls’ US Lacrosse First Stick Program grant in 2012, and received both. This spring, Montvale will launch a four-team youth program, as well as a girls’ club team at Montvale High that will play a 12-game schedule. After years watching players travel to neighboring towns to join teams, Montvale youth will populate their own teams. “Seeing the local kids walking around with their sticks is a great feeling,” Ventresca said.
The First Stick Program provided development grants to 102 teams nationwide in 2012. The initiative is designed to deliver comprehensive resources, equipment, US Lacrosse membership and coaches training to awarded teams during a two-year partnership with US Lacrosse. Through the grant, Montvale coaches were able to attend the 2013 US Lacrosse National Convention and benefit from the educational and networking opportunities offered at the event. “Being face-to-face with so many trainers was a great experience for our coaches,” Ventresca said. “Just being at the convention and meeting with other vendors and suppliers opened so many other doors for us.”
Create Opportunity US Lacrosse is committed to removing the barriers preventing people from participating in the lacrosse experience. We have numerous programs and initiatives designed to open the doors to a new generation of players.
CREATED A NEW DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TASK FORCE “If we expect lacrosse to become the 100 percent inclusive sport that we all purport that it should be, then the manner in which we handle race, among other things, needs to be part of that discussion.”
Physical education program grants awarded to schools in 34 states
- Chazz Woodson, Team USA and Ohio Machine
FIRST STICK GRANTS AWARDED IN 2012
102
First Stick grants were awarded to programs in 31 states
860,850
$
value of all grants, including equipment, memberships, coaching certifications, AEDs and Convention scholarships
2,652
youth and high school players and coaches reached by the First Stick Program
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Annie Ehlers coordinated the First Stick Program application for both the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse programs at Rockledge High School in Brevard County, Fla., and serves as head coach of the girls’ team. Through First Stick, she attended the convention for the first time, along with her assistant coaches, in 2013. “That was a big deal for us,” Ehlers said. “It was the first time we saw live lacrosse. We’re the babies who are just getting started.” With the help of the First Stick grant, Rockledge is fielding varsity and junior varsity lacrosse teams this spring, and has seen great local support for the first-year sport. The school has formed a booster club, organized fundraising events to supplement its First Stick grant, aligned with a local youth program and created a web site for its boys’ and girls’ teams.
WHO WE ARE. This is WHAT WE DO.
Rockledge is following the business plan it developed as part of its First Stick application and is committed to growing the game responsibly. “People are talking about lacrosse,” said Ehlers, who also completed her US Lacrosse Level 1 Coaching Education certification through the First Stick Program. “I feel bad for the people that didn’t get the First Stick grants,” said Doug Kuhblank, coach of the Rockledge boys’ team. “All of this would have been so much harder without the support of US Lacrosse.” After years appealing the Board of Education to fund these varsity lacrosse programs — and getting denied every time — Ventresca credited the First Stick Program gramt as the ultimate differencemaker in the teams becoming a reality at Montvale High.
“We showed the Board of Ed we were serious,” she said. “Having US Lacrosse behind us has been phenomenal.”
The US Lacrosse First Stick Program supplies a host of resources, allowing new programs to build a solid foundation.
Build for the Future Lacrosse is the fastest growing team-sport in the country, so it’s essential that US Lacrosse is positioned to continue to meet the growing needs of the national lacrosse community. We are securing the needed financial resources and developing the appropriate support structure to serve the sport for the future.
US LACROSSE MEMBER GROWTH
450,000 400,000
23,417
Lacrosse players and coaches, representing
350,000
36
300,000
states, joined the Keeper of Lacrosse Project, a new grassroots cultural preservation program, in 2012
250,000 200,000 150,000
50,000 0
KEEPER OF LACROSSE
US Lacrosse eclipsed 400,000 members in January 2012
100,000
98
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
558,467
$
08
09
10
11
12
Investment in local lacrosse through the USL chapter network
US Lacrosse Sources of Revenue US Lacrosse invested more than $17 million in the sport in 2012, and nearly 70 percent ($11.9 million) of that revenue came from membership dues. In order to make a greater impact on the sport, we need additional revenue to drive our mission.
Member Dues – 69.9%
Please consider making a gift to the US Lacrosse Foundation to support the efforts of US Lacrosse. Your donation directly impacts the programs and services of US Lacrosse, enabling us to build on our shared passion to strengthen the sport through excellence. There are a number of ways you can give:
Advertising – 6.3% Special Events – 7.3% Fundraising – 5.5% Direct Program Support – 10.5% Merchandise sales – 0.4%
Education and Training
Sports Science & Safety
First Stick Program
Tradition and Culture
National Teams
Unrestricted
Help provide funding for education and training of coaches and officials to ensure that lacrosse is safe, fair and fun at all levels.
Help provide equipment and additional resources to help new programs get off the ground with a solid foundation.
Help our National Teams prepare for international competition, and allow them to serve as ambassadors for the sport and role models for youth.
Help US Lacrosse lead research and share knowledge to provide safe experiences for all participants.
Help preserve the culture and traditions of lacrosse by supporting our Keeper of Lacrosse Project, and the National Hall of Fame.
An unrestricted gift allows US Lacrosse the latitude to channel funds to the areas of greatest need within the organization.
Visit our website at uslacrosse.org/donate to make your gift today.
Regional Impact in 2012
USL event First Stick grant Chapter grant Coaches clinic Officials clinic National Team clinic
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WHO WE ARE. This is WHAT WE DO.
The US Lacrosse First Sport Society honors Native American communities who were the originators of lacrosse and recognizes generous and visionary donors who contribute $1,000 or more to US Lacrosse or the US Lacrosse Foundation. This list recognizes contributions made from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2012, including gifts to the annual fund, First Stick Program, chapter support, coaches and officials education, Foundation, Hall of Fame and museum, sport development and outreach and sports science and safety. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our donor lists, however, in the unfortunate event of an error in this publication, please contact Debbie Franklin at 410-235-6882 ext. #121 or dfranklin@uslacrosse.org.
Oneida Society ($50,000+) Team 22, authorized licensee of Under Armour
Ojibwe Society ($25,000 to $49,999) Dr. Lawrence A. Feldman John and Margaret Towers
Mohawk Society ($10,000 to $24,999) Jamie and Garland Alban Larry and Julie Berger Jim and Judy Birle Bollinger Insurance J. Brooks Bradley Edward Calkins and Linda Sonders Sylvie and Gary Crum Kevin and Beth Dooley Robert and Dana Emery Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Thomas and Mary Gilbane James and Marritje Greene Greene Van Arsdale Foundation Henry and Nancy Hopkins The Kass Family Markel Corporation Ed and Carolyn Nordberg Nordberg Family Fund United Way of Rhode Island
Dakota Society ($7,500 to $9,999) Todd and Kim Crockett The Kate Risley Foundation Frank and Gayle Kelly Mike and Jan Wilcox
Choctaw Society ($5,000 to $7,400) Jeffrey and Kimberly Barber Brown Advisory CFP Foundation Goldman Sachs Gives Brian and Janet Hehir Kurt and Sue Jaggers Lax 4 All Dr. Johnny and Robin Magwood Milford Marchant A Publication of US Lacrosse
Mark and Karla McKinley Merrymac-McKinley Foundation Inc. Price Modern Jack Sebastian The Shepherd Foundation
Cherokee Society ($2,500 to $4,999) Anonymous Doug Appleton A. Richard Bastinelli Lyman and Julie Bullard Ted Chase J. Gordon and Gretchen Cooney Douglas R. Corrigan Firehawks Lacrosse Club Susan S. Ford John and Christine Giampetroni The Haas Family Kenneth J. Hare Hecht-Levi Foundation Joy Street Foundation Henry and Malaina Kim Warren and Barbara Kimber Andy and Donna Kraus and Family Dr. Alexander and Victory Levi The Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation Joe and Kim Macaione J. Andrew McEntire Mike and Donna O’Rourke The Philadelphia Lacrosse Assoc. Frank and Faith Riggs Lee and Debbie Stevens Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Jane and Jim Webster Western Maryland Chapter Will and Hilary Wynperle
Cayuga Society ($1,000 to $2,400) Lehn and Pamela Abrams James and Betty Adams David and Bonnie Allan Anonymous The Aumiller Family Ashley and Jeff Begert Bill Beroza Blue Chip Lacrosse, LLC
Jack Bovaird and Ellen Warnock Sandra and Dick Boyce BTIG, LLC Peter C. Bullard Reid and Suzanne Campbell Max and Ramey Caulkins Caulkins Family Foundation Scott and Vivien Caven Harvey Cohen Thomas and Kathleen Connor Kevin J. Conway Christopher Crum Clayton Michelle Crum Edward V. Dardani Frank C. Dawson Greg Doepke Fred and Snookie Eisenbrandt Jack and Joan Emmer Helen and Thomas Flatley Harry and Jody Ford Thomas M. Galvin Jonathan and Rita Gewirz Gary T. Gill Robert and Annie Graham Richard B. Grieves The H. Scott Caven, III Memorial Foundation John and Kathleen Haire Charitable Fund T. Brett and Judith Haire Dr. Miles and Wanda Harrison Thomas R. Hayes Katherine A. Henderson Richard and Catherine Herbst Cathleen and Randal Howard Peter and Katie Innis Patricia and Rick Jeffery Bob Kent Kerstin Manning Kimel Dennis Kramer Cookie Krongard The Linehan Family Foundation Lannie Lipson Long Island Topguns Inc. Maersk, Inc. Butch and Lois Marino Dr. Leslie and Julia Matthews Jim and Susie McDonald Paul and Carolyn McGarvie Casey and Megan McManemin
Craig and Debra Messinger Bill and Louise Miller Steven C. Mitchell Moe’s Southwest Grill Merritt and Roslyn Nesin Ned Offit Captain Patrick William O’Kane William and Donna Oliver Outdoor Income Management, LLC Punch and Cheryl Peterson Pep Phillips, D.D.S. John Potsiadlo James Potter and Virginia Naylor John and Anne-Marie Poulton Presslax Teri and Thomas Pruitt Robert W. Quinn, Jr. Katherine Tabor William and Susannah Rienhoff Rhona’s Place Robert B. Rice George M.S. Riepe Henry and Dorothy Rosenberg Eric and Nancy Rudolph Bob and Katy Russell John Schiff, Jr. Schwab Charitable Fund Dr. Frederick Smith and Dr. Venice Paterakis Wick Sollers Stewart Spector St. Xavier High School Lacrosse Parent Association John Stalfort Steve and Garvey Stenersen Charlie and Ann Stieff Edward A. Taber, III John Taylor, USN TMA Resources Fallon and Robert Vaughn Valerie Walchak Washington Area Lacrosse Officials Association Kay and Max Watson Linda and Steve Webster Wendell Family Foundation Tucker and Lauren White The Frances and Michael Williamson Family Charitable Fund John and Susan Wynne April 2013 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE
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