The Countdown

The world cup begins in exactly 24 days (from today, May 25). I know this because one of my US teammates sent out a daily calendar with a compilation of quotes and the number of days remaining until the tournament begins. Throughout the month, I have watched the number tick down lower and lower. The excitement and anticipation for the games is all I can think about, or rather, all I can dream about. I think about it during the day, during those hard workout sessions, and it keeps me up at night when I am trying to sleep. I am sure that I am not the only player out there with this feeling. I know my teammates are feeling the same anticipation that I am, but I hope that as we go through training camp at the beginning of June we will not only feel excited, but also ready—ready to face any obstacle we see on and off the field.

I can’t wait to get to training at camp and to see my friends. And call me sappy, but I can’t wait to put on the red, white, and blue everyday for basically the entire month of June. This is truly the most memorable time of my life, and I know that though it is all time to prepare and to play at our best, to also remember how special it is to be a part of this group and this experience. GO USA!

Former UVA Women’s Lacrosse Grad Ginger Miles Blogs for deBeer

This past year I have been volunteering my time with the University of Virginia women’s lacrosse team. At the outset, I was very excited to be rejoining the team that meant so much to me during my collegiate years. I had no idea how the year would pan out (or how old I would feel) but was I was grateful to be welcomed back by the players and coaches. This past year has meant the world to me and has just added to my well of fond memories.

If you’ve been following women’s lacrosse this year, you’re aware of the ups and downs we’ve had this season but despite it all, I have had an amazing journey with this squad. It’s a great group of girls not unlike the teams I remember being a part of way back when (ok only 3 years ago).

I quickly learned a lot of new names and faces of younger kids. Their youthful exuberance always harkens me back to my first year and how clueless we were and how hard it was to adjust but also how much fun we had along the way. When I see our fourth year class nostalgia takes me back to when they were seemingly just tiny first years not so long ago. I see how much they’ve grown since their first year and it’s neat to see them taking on different (bigger) roles on the team nowadays.

When I’m on the practice field I can’t help but smile because I know how much fun these girls are having. Before they know it however, their lives will not be dictated by coaches, game schedules and academic advisors. Soon “the real world” will dictate their day to day lives.

The real world isn’t fun.  Sure no more papers and you are no longer beholden to a whistle and your coach’s whim but there are so many little things that we grads undoubtedly miss. Obviously, I miss waking up after 9:30 every day but I also miss the hysterical sideline conversations at practice. I miss piling into someone’s SUV after practice to carpool home. I miss the fast food chow-downs after a long, grueling practice. I miss the movie nights and the all day barbecues. I even miss the runs when all you wanted to do was quit but that teammate beside you dragged you through the finish line.

If there’s one thing I could give these girls it would be the perspective to enjoy every single second of the ride. I would say enjoy every last drill, every last film session, every last lift, every last practice scrimmage, every last team meal, every last bus ride, every last run, and obviously every last game. Take a minute at practice and look around and soak it all in. Because as fun as it is, it’s going to end sooner than later. Four years is just too short, so stock up on memories while you can so one day you’ll be able look back and smile too.

Southern Alliance Tournament to be Sponsored by deBeer Lacrosse

Southern Alliance Tournament to be Sponsored by deBeer Lacrosse

May 5, 2009 For Immediate Release www.SATLACROSSE.com

Peachtree City, Georgia – The most prolific girl’s elite lacrosse event in the southern United States has joined forces with the official equipment provider for the US Lacrosse Women’s Elite Team. deBeer Lacrosse, a leader in lacrosse manufacturing world wide, will sponsor the event and bring their equipment and exciting contests to the Southern Alliance Tournament (SAT) held May 30^th and 31^st at the baseball-soccer complex in Peachtree City, Georgia.

“At deBeer Lacrosse we are always excited to embrace change and evolve with the times. Lacrosse is seeing tremendous growth in the south and western U.S. right now and groups like LaxManiax and MCC Sports are responsible for a huge part of it. This event will bring the southern lacrosse communities together and we want to celebrate this atmosphere and help the game to continue to prosper throughout the south,” added deBeer Lacrosse director of Women’s Lacrosse Jacqueline McDevitt.

deBeer Lacrosse and the SAT’s partnership will include games and contests, such as deBeer’s famous Urban Bingo game and other fun contests for the participants of the tournament to enjoy. With 600 participants and several thousand fans descending on majestic Peachtree City for the weekend event, these games will compliment what is sure to be a tremendous start to the national travel season for the south’s finest comprehensive elite club programs. More than 36 teams will attend this year’s sold-out event.

“We are thrilled that deBeer has stepped up and taken a leadership role in girl’s lacrosse in the south. No other manufacturer has committed the resources that deBeer Lacrosse has contributed over the past two years in the southern United States. The south is full of opportunities to help new players come into the game and also has a burgeoning base of talent from programs like Carolina Fever, Hotlanta Lacrosse, Cardinal Lax, and LaxManiax Elite. These programs are locally operated and have player improvement as their top priority and deBeer Lacrosse supports this mission by sponsoring this event and contributing equipment grants for grass roots development,” commented MCC Sports President Paul McCord and co-sponsor of the SAT.

“The reputation of deBeer Lacrosse is bringing innovative and intelligent products to the market for boys and for girls. There are other manufacturers out there on the girls side, but what it comes down to is that their sticks are still compared to deBeer’s. They have great sticks and designs and every year they innovate.”

The tournament will play host to three school-girl aged divisions: Class of 2010, 2011, and Open. Accompanying these brackets will be two middle school divisions based on ability. Three of the major clubs doing battle at the SAT have experience playing in the nation’s top recruiting tournaments, the IWLCA Champions and Capital Cup. All three have competed competitively against the best club programs from across the nation.

“As lacrosse has grown in the south, the talent base continues to improve and challenge the top comprehensive club programs from traditional hotbeds,” said Pam McNabb, director and co-host of the tournament. “Hotlanta lacrosse grew as a result of the demand for locally directed travel lacrosse programs in the Atlanta metro area. Hotlanta Lax has already competed in the Rivalry Challenge (top recruiting event in the Fall) and this year we are excited to bring a great recruiting and competitive opportunity to the kids in our region.”

Please contact Heather Albro for more information about the Southern Alliance Tournament at:

Heather.Albro@MCCSportsinc.com