A national hub for the study and improvement of health & safety, training and performance in lacrosse.
Created in 2016, the Center is devoted to research, education, collaboration, policy development, and best practices guidelines that benefit the safety and wellness of lacrosse players, with a particular focus on youth players.
The Center embraces an athlete-centered model, which means that all research, education, and support is focused on benefitting the lacrosse athlete and ensuring the promotion of safe environments in which athletes can enjoy lacrosse.
The Center has three foundational pillars -- Health & Safety, Training, and Performance. Ultimately, the aim is to deliver holistic support and resources to the lacrosse community.
Health & Safety
Physical and mental health & safety are at the forefront of the Center's priorities. The Center engages with organizations and practitioners to ensure best practices are implemented that provide safe environments as well as support for athlete health.
Training
Regularly practicing a particular task is necessary for continuous improvement in all stages of athlete development. This includes the technical, tactical, and physical components of lacrosse. Additionally, good nutrition, mental skills, and sound methods of recovery are equally as important to support successful experiences in lacrosse.
Performance
Applying the skills (technical, tactical, mental, etc.) developed through regular training will enable athletes and teams to reach their performance potential during competition. This may be reflected in many ways, from improved physical literacy during the early stages of athlete development, to winning medals at international events as a U.S. National Team member.
Research, Innovation, and Knowledge
Bridging the gap between scientific research and sport is accomplished by generating new knowledge, translating existing evidence, and applying this information to lacrosse. The Center is committed to being involved with innovative, lacrosse-specific research that supports its three foundational pillars.
Sports Science & Safety Committee
The dedicated volunteers on the USA Lacrosse Sports Science & Safety Committee function as an advisory group for the Center and provide safety education leadership for the entire lacrosse community.
| Name | Specialty Area | Residence |
|---|---|---|
| David Berkoff, MD | Sports Medicine | Chapel Hill, N.C. |
| Shane Caswell, PhD | Sports Research and Epidemiology | Fairfax, Va. |
| Reuben Echemendia, PhD | Neuropsychology and Neurology | State College, Pa. |
| Richard Hinton, MD | Orthopaedics | Baltimore, Md. |
| Eugene Hong, MD (Chair) | Sports Medicine | Charleston, S.C. |
| Mary Ellen Kelly, RD | Nutrition | Bloomsburg, Pa. |
| Dave Klossner, PhD | Nutrition and Sports Performance | Laurel, Md. |
| Andy Lincoln, ScD | Sports Research and Epidemiology | Annapolis, Md. |
| Mark Link, MD | Cardiology | Houston, Texas |
| Matt Nein, NCSA | Sports Performance | Salisbury, Md. |
| Paige Perriello, MD | Pediatrics | Charlottesville, Va. |
| Samantha Scarneo-Miller, PhD | Sports Medicine | Morgantown, W.V. |
| Karen Sutton, MD | Orthopaedics | Fairfield, Conn. |
| Nina Walker, ATC | Sports Medicine | Chapel Hill, N.C. |
| Andrew Wolanin, PsyD | Psychology | Philadelphia, Pa. |
Staff Contact: Jason Vescovi, Director, Center for Sports Science
The Center for Sport Science is supported by founding partner MedStar Health
