Twelve Top NCAA Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Teams Compete in Charity Event for Parkinson’s Disease

ProjectSpark’s Play for Parkinson’s 2nd Annual Lacrosse Series Takes Place Saturday, October 15th and Sunday, October 16th at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA

WASHINGTON, DC – Twelve elite NCAA men’s and women’s lacrosse teams will face off in the second annual Play for Parkinson’s Lacrosse Series on October 15th and 17th at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. The event will feature six of the country’s most prominent NCAA men’s programs on Saturday, October 15th – Army, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Penn State, Princeton, and Virginia, followed by six of the country’s most prominent NCAA women’s programs on Sunday, October 16th – Duke, Georgetown, Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, and Stanford.

Play for Parkinson’s will highlight young men and women playing what has been called the “fastest game on two feet” to help those whose very ability to move is being compromised by Parkinson’s disease. All proceeds from the Play for Parkinson’s Lacrosse Series will benefit the ProjectSpark Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting Parkinson’s education and research. Parkinson’s disease affects over 1.5 million people in the United States and an additional sixty thousand individuals are diagnosed with the disease each year.

More information about ProjectSpark and Parkinson’s disease can be found at: www.projectspark.org

Speaking about the Play for Parkinson’s tournament Lacrosse Series, founders Christian and Lauren Cook commented, “Lacrosse was a huge part of our childhood. Our parents would come out to watch us play every Saturday growing up and traveled from Denver, Colorado to our alma maters while we were in college to continue to support us. When our mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008, we knew we had to do something to help. It seemed only fitting that our foundation’s largest annual event involve a sport that has given our family so much. Our hope is that we can make a difference in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s and that ultimately ProjectSpark will contribute to finding a cure for this devastating disease.”

Princeton Head Coach Chris Bates was quoted last year saying, “The Princeton University men’s lacrosse team is excited to participate in the Play for Parkinson’s Lacrosse Series this fall. The caliber of lacrosse and venue are exceptional, and we are honored to do our part to help combat Parkinson’s disease.” Virginia Head Coach Dom Starsia also commented on last year’s event, “Beautiful day, great venue, really nice event, we were glad to do a small part to help a great cause – the fight against Parkinson’s disease, it was really, really well-done.”

A complete schedule of the tournament can be found below. For more information about the tournament and how to purchase pre-sale tickets go to: www.playforparkinsons.org

Tournament Details

Location: Episcopal High School
Hummel Bowl
1200 North Quaker Lane
Alexandria, VA 22302

Time: Gates open at 8:00 a.m.; games begin at 9:00 a.m.

Men’s Tournament Schedule – Saturday, October 15th:
9:00 AM – Army vs. Penn State (Game 1 – Hummel Bowl)
11:00 AM – Georgetown vs. Princeton (Game 2 – Hummel Bowl)
11:00 AM – UVA vs. Army (Game 3 – Greenway Field)
1:00 PM* – U.S. Men’s National Team Clinic (West Hummel)
1:00 PM – Princeton vs. UVA (Game 4 – Hummel Bowl)
1:00 PM – Hopkins vs. Penn State (Game 5 – Greenway Field)
3:00 PM – Georgetown vs. Hopkins (Game 6 – Hummel Bowl)

*Note: Former U.S. Men’s National Team Member Jesse Hubbard and former U.S. Men’s Coach, and current Army Head Coach, Joe Alberici will be conducting a free demonstration at 1 pm.

Women’s Tournament Schedule – Sunday, October 16th:
9:00 AM – Northwestern vs. Stanford (Game 1 Hummel Bowl)
11:00 AM – Stanford vs. Georgetown (Game 2 – Hummel Bowl)
11:00 AM – Northwestern vs. Duke (Game 3 – Greenway Field)
12:00 PM – One hour clinic / demonstration by the U.S. Women’s National Team
1:00 PM – Maryland vs. Northwestern (Game 6 – Hummel Bowl)
1:00 PM – Penn State vs. Stanford (Game 7 – Greenway Field)
2:00 PM – Georgetown vs. Duke (Game 8 – Hummel Bowl)
2:30 PM – Maryland vs. Penn State (Game 9 – Greenway)