NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Training Kids on Their 'Home' Turf

March 14, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, March 14)... With the bye weekend approaching, there is no rest for the Rochester Knighthawks. After defeating the Buffalo Bandits Saturday to move into sole possession of second place in the East Division, alternate captain Mike Accursi races up and down the turf at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.

The 15-year veteran leads the March Break Camp with the Rochester Knighthawks this week to train the future stars of the National Lacrosse League. For four days, from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m., kids will learn lacrosse from players with Champion's Cup and NCAA national championship rings. Accursi, who serves as the camp's director, mapped out the camp at Six Nations with a long-term vision in mind.

"We want kids to love the game as much as we do," said Accursi. "Camps and clinics like this are what will help us grow the game and take the sport to the next level."

The 30 kids will learn from a dozen of the Knighthawks players as they take part in proper stretching, skills and drills, and fitness training. At the end of the each session, the Knighthawks will award two campers of the day with a free stick. All of the kids will receive a Knighthawks gift package at the end of the camp.

There was quite the star power on the floor Monday, as Accursi was joined by Knighthawks teammates Joe Walters, Joel White, Jake Henhawk, Craig Point, Alex "Kedoh" Hill, Sid Smith and Stephen Keogh. The other Knighthawks at the camp this week will include Cory Vitarelli, Travis Hill, Brad Self and Jamie Batson.

"It's easier to coach kids that want to be there and learn the game of lacrosse. I think the ILA and everyone involved did a great job," said Joel White, who won two national championships at Syracuse University and played some Junior "A" games for the Six Nations Arrows at the ILA.

It has become a tradition at the ILA to provide the kids with world-class instruction from their weekday clinics to holiday camps. The facility, which was built in 2004 by Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres, serves as the home floor for the Six Nations Arrows Junior "A" program, which has produced stars like Cody Jamieson, Smith, Point, Johnny Powless, "Kedoh" Hill, Andy Secore, White and Brett Bucktooth to name a few. It also serves as the practice facility for numerous NLL teams, including the Rochester Knighthawks.

"In my hometown, it's always a good feeling to have kids in the camp," said Point. "But we have more kids from outside the area. It goes to show how well they advertised the camp and that kids will come out to see pro lacrosse players."

To see the Knighthawks in action, fans can head to Rochester to see the team host the defending champion Toronto Rock on Saturday, March 24th. The 7:30 p.m. game at The Blue Cross Arena will be broadcast on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com .

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