The lacrosse community has a long history of paying it forward and it is in that spirit the USA Lacrosse Foundation Legacy Gala has been created. The Legacy Gala will be held June 9, 2022 at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City to celebrate and elevate the impact players, coaches, fans and investors have in shaping the future of the sport while generating important revenue to support key initiatives to fuel the sport’s growth.
“This will be the first lacrosse event of its kind, bringing together the national community to celebrate our sport and raise awareness of the impact USA Lacrosse has on growing the sport,” said event co-chairs and USA Lacrosse Foundation Board members Brian Carcaterra and Serena Black Martin. “We are thrilled to honor lacrosse greats Kyle Harrison, Paul Rabil, and Crista Samaras for their significant impact in supporting the growth of lacrosse, enriching the experience of participants, and bringing honor and distinction to the sport.”
Since its formation in 1998, USA Lacrosse has invested nearly $300 million in the growth of the sport around the country. The USA Lacrosse Foundation has played a critical role in funding that investment and the Legacy Gala will pay homage to the work already done with a focus on helping to create new legacies.
Harrison, Rabil and Samaras, all alumni of the U.S. national team program, will be honored with the Legacy Award, for their contributions. As role models for the community, these honorees continue to inspire support for lacrosse — on and off the field.
Harrison is the director of player relations and diversity inclusion for the Premier Lacrosse League and retired following the 2021 season. From an illustrious career at Johns Hopkins, where he won a national championship and the Tewaaraton Award, through two stints on the U.S. national team and now with the PLL, Harrision continually demonstrates passion and commitment to the sport. A member of the USA Lacrosse Board of Directors, his role in advancing the sport in many other areas, including access and awareness in underserved communities through his work with PLL Assists, sets him apart from so many.
Rabil is co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League and will serve as the president after playing in the league the first three seasons. One of the most decorated players in the sport’s history, Rabil was a two-time national champion at Johns Hopkins and represented the United States in three world championships, winning two gold medals while capturing Most Valuable Player honors at the 2010 world championship. He won championships in both Major League Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse League and helped usher in a new era for the sport when he launched the PLL in 2019. With his vision to push the sport forward, he continues to prove what it means to be role model to so many players, both personally and professionally.
Samaras is vice president of content for The Post and founder and CEO of Brave Enterprises. An All-American at Princeton, Samaras first became involved with the U.S. national team in 1995 and competed on the 2001 and 2005 U.S. national teams in the World Cup, helping the U.S. win gold in 2001. Also a successful coach, her entrepreneurial spirit and powerful programming develop brave-inspired behavior in young women. She is a true lacrosse champion who continues to not only empower female players from non-traditional lacrosse-playing areas, but inspires all players on and off the field.
About USA Lacrosse
USA Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse in the United States, leads the U.S. National Teams Program and establishes universal standards. With nearly 400,000 members across the country, USA Lacrosse unites the community of players, coaches, officials, parents, and program leaders. Working together, we inspire participation, enrich the athlete experience, and support the growth of the sport.
