MLL partners with Sport in Society
Published on May 31, 2005 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Boston, MA May 31, 2005 â Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, and Sport in Society, today announced a partnership to train MLL players in gender violence prevention at the league's June 1st Warrior Major League Challenge/MLL Collegiate Draft at Sacred Heart University. Major League Lacrosse is the first professional sports league to take a proactive, league-wide approach and utilize Sport in Society's nationally renowned Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program.
MVP, a leadership program focusing on gender violence prevention and education utilizes a unique bystander approach to prevention. MVP has trained the rookies and free agents of the World Champion New England Patriots for seven years and the World Champion Boston Red Sox at spring training this year. MVP has provided trainings on more than 100 college campuses across the country.
"Partnering with Sport in Society to bring the MVP program to our league is a vital step for the MLL," said David Gross, MLL Commissioner. "We encourage our players to be role models on and off the field, but we recognize the pressures and potential dangers facing professional athletes, especially rookies. As a league we want to provide our players with the tools necessary to succeed as role models in their communities. Our partnership with Sport in Society will benefit everyone involved with Major League Lacrosse."
"We look forward to helping Major League Lacrosse provide their players with important lifeskills and to help them in their commitment to developing healthy players who serve as role models to fans. We recognize the unique role athletes have in our culture and we look forward to working with MLL to ensure their impact is a positive one", said Peter Roby, Sport in Society's Director.
The MVP Program will take place during MLL's day-long Rookie Orientation, Combine, All-Star Game and Collegiate Draft. As part of its Warrior Major League Challenge, the MLL invites the top 40 graduating college seniors to compete in an All-Star Game at 5:00PM. Following the contest the MLL will hold its annual Collegiate Draft at 8:00PM. The league's 2005 rookie class will take part in the MVP training sessions beginning at 10:00AM. Tickets for the Warrior Major League Challenge include admission to the MLL Collegiate Draft and cost just $5.00. Tickets are available by calling 866-MLL-TIXX or online at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
About the MVP Program
MVP is a leadership program that motivates men and women to play a central role in solving problems that historically have been considered "women's issues": rape, battering, and sexual harassment. Utilizing a unique bystander approach to prevention, the MVP program views men and women not as potential perpetrators or victims, but as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers. This emphasis reduces the defensiveness men often feel and the helplessness women often feel when discussing issues of men's violence against women.
About The Center for the Study of Sport in Society The mission of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society is to increase awareness of sport and its relation to society, and to develop programs that identify problems, offer solutions and promote the benefits of sport. Sport in Society is committed to the idea that the sports community can, and should, take a lead role in bringing about positive social change. Sport in Society employs the unique power and influence of sport to create positive social change. Sport in Society impacts middle school and high school students, college student-athletes, professional athletes and adult administrators. Sport in Society's dedicated staff of current and former professional and collegiate athletes serve as trainers and change agents in society.
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, a six-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Global L.L.C., and founding partners Dave Morrow, a former champion lacrosse player and now CEO of Warrior Lacrosse, a leading global provider of innovative and high performance lacrosse equipment; and Timothy B. Robertson, former CEO of The Family Channel and the current chairman of Bay Shore Enterprises, L.L.C., an investment holding company with activities in international media and Internet technology ventures. The MLL commenced play in June of 2001 and has teams in Baltimore, Boston, Long Island, (Montclair) New Jersey, Philadelphia and Rochester. The 2005 MLL season will begin on Friday, May 20 and conclude with the New Balance Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend on Friday, August 19 and Sunday, August 21 at Boston University's Nickerson Field. Additional league information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 31, 2005
- Millon, Cattrano Pick Up Week Two MLL Awards - Boston Cannons
- MLL partners with Sport in Society - MLL
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