OLC MIDDLE SCHOOLERS TAKE ON THE US SPORTS CAMP AT UC BERKELEY
This summer Danny, Nolan, and Tron three standout middle school players from the Oakland Lacrosse Club had an exceptional opportunity to advance their lacrosse skills at the US Sports Camp held in partnership with the UC Berkeley Men’s Lacrosse Program. For these young athletes, the camp offered a transformative experience, immersing them in highlevel training and exposure to elite coaching from the Cal players. Set on the scenic UC Berkeley campus, the camp provided a dynamic environment where these players could elevate their game through a comprehensive training regimen.
Throughout, the Oakland Lacrosse Club players engaged in advanced drills, tactical sessions, and competitive play, each activity designed to refine their techniques and elevate their understanding of the game. This camp served as a glimpse into the high standards and strategic depth of top-tier lacrosse. Their camp coaches’ emphasis on teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship resonated deeply with the young players, leaving them not only more skilled but also more inspired and confident in their abilities. Nolan, an 8th grader from Edna Brewer Middle School, was even awarded Camper of the Week! The U.S. Sports Camp experience will serve as a pivotal chapter in their lacrosse journeys and we can’t wait to see how much they’ve improved once the season starts back up!
“CoachMo alreadytaught meeverything Ineededto knowforthis camp. ”
-Tron, an incoming 7th grade player from Roosevelt Middle School
CAREER EXPLORATION WITH ACCEL-KKR
The impact of networking extends far beyond simple connections—it’s what propels us toward new experiences and mentors while shaping our career and personal growth. At OLC, we strive to offer our youth limitless resources and opportunities. On Tuesday, July 30th, 11 OLC Summer Ambassadors had the opportunity to visit the Accel-KKR private equity firm in Menlo Park.
We brought a new group of OLC athletes and alumni for the secondyearofcareerexplorationwithAKKR. The session was not only informative but also highly interactive, offering a glimpseintothedynamicworldofprivateequity. During their visit, they engaged in one-on-oneinteractions and participated in meaningful group panel sessions with the Accel-KKR team. They explored many themes: how relationships need nurturing, how to differentiate oneself by honinginonyoursuperpower, and howtostaytrueto yourself while getting people to notice your talents. To wrap up the conversations we sat at a conference table with Tom Barnds—AKKR Founder and Co-Managing Partner—where he asked our Summer Ambassadors what qualities they
“I learned about taking the opportunity to extend the network connection beyond the person you are meeting.”
—Alyssa Belisle, Howard University ‘26
YEAR TWO OF THE FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOP WITH MS. ELISHA DAVIS
As the Summer Ambassadors Program grows, more OLC youth express how our paid summer work opportunity leads to transferrable professional and life skills! In addition to exploring the power of networking with AKKR, Summer Ambassadors could opt into Career Readiness Workshops with Greg, Jessica & Brandon from Morgen Davis LLC as well as Financial Literacy with Ms. Elisha Davis. This was year two of the financial literacy workshop and Ms. Davis has a gift of connecting with our young adults in a way that centers their experience to bring awareness of the power at their fingertips. Just like sports, being financially responsible is a trained habit. Two claps for Ms. Davis for continuing to build and grow this opportunity.
“I really loved how [Ms. Davis] promoted confidence and gave information on financial wellness and how to put yourself on the map. It was motivating to have and interactive presentation that gave a positive outlook on being financially responsible and educated without the stress of it.”
—Samira Nevaeh Snodey-Valdez, Louisiana State University ‘28
“I feel like being on a team with girls that I had played against during the season really strengthens the connection we all have playing lacrosse. Being on the team and playing in Lake Tahoe also helped bring out different cultures and backgrounds from the different players that were on the team and helped deepen the bond between the girls on the team.”
-Naila, Oakland High ‘25
ALL-LEAGUE TRAVEL TEAM SHINES AT LAKE TAHOE SUMMIT CLASSIC
On June 14th, a trio of dedicated coaches Monica, Amanda, and Erica—set off with 21 spirited high school lacrosse players in three vans, heading to the highly anticipated Lake Tahoe Summit Classic. This select team, composed predominantly of rising sophomores and juniors, represents ambitious talent from Castlemont, McClymonds, Oakland High, Oakland Tech, and Skyline. These 21 players were carefully chosen from a pool of 85 based on their attendance, leadership, coachability, and commitment to the values upheld throughout the OAL season.
Over four thrilling days, the team not only refined their lacrosse skills but also built lasting bonds during informal time. Each cabin was assigned cooking roles to prepare team meals. Players also enjoyed relaxing beach outings, paddleboarding on the water, and had a blast during a lively karaoke night. These moments of teamwork and friendship are the heart of travel teams. As their Lake Tahoe adventure concludes, OLC eagerly anticipates continuing this journey with a lineup of exciting tournaments for the Fall and Winter seasons. Catch them next at the Turkey Shootout!
LAUREN GILBERT TAKES THE FIELD FOR OLC IN THE 2024 ATHLETES UNLIMITED SEASON
In Spring 2024, Lauren Gilbert joined the OLC Family as the head coach of the undefeated Skyline team. This summer, she returned for her third professional season with Athletes Unlimited (AU). In addition to playing, she is using her platform to make a meaningful impact beyond the game by representing Oakland Lacrosse.
Lauren Gilbert, a distinguished alumna of Northwestern University, is a notable figure in the professional lacrosse arena. Her influence extends far beyond her athletic prowess; she is known for her exemplary leadership both on and off the field. In addition to her roles as a player and coach, Gilbert works in consumer insights at Under Armour, a position that allows her to blend her sports expertise with business acumen. She dedicates time to coaching with both OLC and Tenacity, further demonstrating her commitment to developing the next generation goggles lacrosse players.
This summer, Athletes Unlimited Pro Lacrosse brought together 56 elite players in Sparks, Maryland, for an intense four-week competition. Each player is asked to represent a nonprofit organization, where their performance will directly raise funds for them. Gilbert’s participation in this season’s AU league is not only a testament to her skill and dedication but also a unique opportunity to spread awareness of OLC’s mission. Lauren also spearheaded a week-long social media campaign for OLC. Her works fuses her athletic career and her commitment to giving back to the community, which is why we are stoked to invite her onto our Advisory Council.
Lauren stands as a powerful example of how sports shape powerful leaders who make strides in being a positive disruption. Her dedication to both her sport and her community is truly inspiring, and if you missed out on watching make sure to tune in
ONE TOWN, ONE FAMILY
