(New York, April 24, 2012) — CityLax, the non-profit organization founded in 2005 dedicated to using athletics, particularly lacrosse, to benefit student-athletes in underserved communities, along with Poly Prep Country Day School, co-hosted a Men’s Major League Lacrosse exhibition game this past Saturday. The Long Island Lizards faced off against the Charlotte Hounds under the lights at Poly Prep’s turf field in the first ever Men’s Major League Lacrosse game to be held in New York City.
Both teams have star-studded rosters, including former Division I, II, and III All-Americans, US National Team and World Team players, which made for an exciting game. There were over 700 people in attendance, and fans had the opportunity to meet the professional players and get autographs and photos both before and after the game. Additionally, before the game a group of forty PSAL high school players selected by CityLax and their coaches had the opportunity to participate in a clinic lead by Charlotte Hounds standout attackman Billy Bitter and by members of the Long Island Lizards coaching staff. The game was won by the Hounds 10-8. Both teams treated the cheering crowd to a 5th quarter of play. Post-game, kids hit the field for some shooting practice.
“CityLax’s mission is to empower student-athletes to reach their highest potential and the members of the Long Island Lizards and the Charlotte Hounds, all former college standouts, are genuine role models for our New York City youth,” said Mathew Levine, CEO of CityLax. “It was truly an honor to work with Poly Prep’s administration and lacrosse coach, Brooks Sweet, plus the Long Island Lizards and their General Manager Casey Hilpert to co-host this exhibition game and we are excited to continue to involve New York City’s communities in the benefits of lacrosse.”
CityLax’s initiative has helped to triple the number of public high school teams playing varsity lacrosse in New York City, with thirty-four varsity boys and girls teams in twenty-four high schools. Along with the NYC Sports Commission and the Public School Athletic League, CityLax has created and has co-hosted Mayor’s Cup of Lacrosse Jamboree for boys and girls high school teams in the five boroughs, the largest lacrosse event of its kind to be held each year in New York City. It also is a sponsor each year of the PSAL Boys and Girls High School Lacrosse Championships (this year on May 20). Whether serving as a catalyst for assisting schools in their effort to develop their lacrosse programs or helping student-athletes to broaden their college choices, CityLax is committed to giving New York City’s youth the greatest opportunity for success.
CityLax not only offers free lacrosse clinics and helps to start-up teams for boys and girls, but provides quality equipment to ensure these players have the resources to play to the best of their ability. In the off-season, CityLax also organizes college exposure teams, funds a CityLax scholarship and has a strong coaching and mentoring program to augment the college process for CityLax program participants, giving student-athletes in these communities the opportunity shine both off and on the field.
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About CityLax
CityLax, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to growing the game of lacrosse in New York City in a public-private partnership with the Public School (PSAL) system and in partnerships and alliances with community-based organizations. We are currently focused on introducing and expanding lacrosse into New York City schools and geographies that historically have had little or no access to the game and that are predominantly comprised of populations from lower income families. Through a character-based mentoring/coaching program, CityLax uses lacrosse as a teaching mechanism for helping student-athletes see the value of taking charge of their education, living a healthier lifestyle, and developing life skills for successful college and career advancement. Learn more at www.citylax.org.
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