This weekend, September 10-11, US Lacrosse will be opening the doors to its new headquarters in Baltimore County. Running clinics, dedications, tours and plenty of lacrosse to watch, there is something for everyone.
The move to Baltimore County provides many exceptional opportunities for the county, Maryland and the sport of lacrosse. “As the director for tourism and a lifelong resident of Baltimore County, I am thrilled that US Lacrosse chose Sparks for their new home,” said Marjorie Hampson of Baltimore County Tourism and Promotion. “With three quarters of a million people, young and old, playing the sport and more than 450,000 members nationwide, the new US Lacrosse Headquarters will serve as a center for educational programs, clinics, and an outstanding venue for the fastest growing sport in the U.S. I can’t wait to promote the “good news stories” that are sure to emerge from this facility. As a sports tourism attraction and destination for visitors, the new headquarters is also good business for Baltimore County tourism!”
And US Lacrosse is wasting no time in creating a one of a kind experience for players and fans of the sport. Beginning on Saturday morning, youth player clinics will be run by the United States men’s and women’s team players and coaches. That evening, the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame will be inducting its new class including: Margie Anderson, Kim Basner, Joanne Connelly, Julie Dayton, Michele LeFevre Doyle, Glen Miles, Mike Morrill, Robert Shek and John Tucker. Four of whom attended Maryland universities.
Sunday will include a triple header of games and special dedications around the facility. At 10 a.m., the Women’s National Team will play their intra-squad Blue-White Game following the field blessing and dedication. At 12:45, the Richard M. Moran National Hall of Fame and Museum Gallery will have its dedication ceremony followed by the Men’s National Team Blue-White Game. Finally at 3:45, there will be a dedication of the 9/11 Memorial Garden to honor the nearly 70 people connected to the sport of lacrosse who died on September 11, 2001. The dedication will be followed by an exhibition game between the New York Fire Department and New York Police Department lacrosse teams.
“The State of Maryland and specifically Baltimore County are privileged to have US Lacrosse headquartered here. Not many destinations are fortunate to have a National Governing Body call their city, county or state home, we have that distinction and it is an honor,” said Terry Hasseltine, Executive Director of Maryland Sports. “This weekend’s festivities represent a lot of hard work and determination from all those tied to the game of lacrosse. Congratulations to all the members of the US Lacrosse organization for bringing this grand opening to reality!”
The games played this weekend, will be the first lacrosse competitions held at the new complex, and will surely be the first of many more to come. To buy tickets to any of the events, go to http://www.uslacrosse.org/events/grand-opening.
