NLL Colorado Mammoth

KSE, US Lacrosse create youth tournament partnership

Published on October 11, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - Kroenke Sports Enterprises and US Lacrosse have entered into a partnership to organize, promote and operate US Lacrosse state and national tournaments at the Under-15 level for boys' and girls' teams.

Initial plans call for the events to begin in the summer of 2007, with national championships slated for KSE's new Prairie Gateway complex in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colo.

"I feel this is the next step in the evolution of the sport of lacrosse," said Gary Gait, KSE's vice president of lacrosse development operations. "We're excited to partner with US Lacrosse on this project. These events provide us with a system to develop the game and take it to the next level. The Prairie Gateway complex will be the nicest lacrosse and soccer complex in the nation. Hosting this championship allows Denver to continue to be the gateway to the western development of the sport."

Said Noel Ebner, president of the US Lacrosse youth council: "This partnership will allow us to better serve more of our youth members with a wider variety of events that meet the highest standards of US Lacrosse."

A series of regional events, using existing tournaments and newly-created tournaments, will be held to qualify teams for the national tournament. The tournaments will feature divisions based on level of competition for both boys and girls. Only teams that competed during traditional recreation league regular season play, i.e., no "all-star" teams, will be eligible for these US Lacrosse events.

"We're excited about pursuing this opportunity," said Steve Stenersen, executive director of US Lacrosse. "Over time, our goal is to establish a series of competitions throughout the country that will provide an exciting new format and a high quality experience for participants, while maintaining high standards of sportsmanship and integrity. The principles established by the Positive Coaching Alliance, our longstanding partner, will be a fundamental component of these events."

US Lacrosse will continue to operate its annual youth festivals for boys and girls at the U-13 and U-15 levels. The youth festivals bring teams from US Lacrosse regional chapters together to compete in an event where no scores are kept and the emphasis is on participation. Nearly 100 chapter teams competed in last year's youth festivals.

Kroenke Sports Enterprises is the Rocky Mountain West's leading provider of live sports and entertainment events. The group owns and operates several professional sports franchises, including the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association, Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League.

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse. To learn more about the organization, please visit its Web site at www.uslacrosse.org.

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