There’s a popular saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Schuyler Horn, founder and executive director of the Lacrosse the Bay (LTB) youth program in Monterey, California, has no problem with that philosophy. After all, one of LTB’s most successful initiatives, its K-2 introductory experience for the youngest kids, came from flag football.

Two National Lacrosse Hall of Fame members and former college teammates — Oren Lyons and Roy Simmons Jr. — were recognized last week as the 2025 recipients of the Alfie Jacques Ambassador Award.

Established in 2023, the Alfie Jacques Ambassador Award was created to keep the legacy of the Onondaga stick maker alive, to promote the game’s sacred Indigenous roots, and to honor members of the larger community who share Alfie’s love of lacrosse and his commitment to its growth.  

Hosted and organized by Wheelchair Lacrosse USA (WLUSA) -- the world’s first wheelchair lacrosse league -- the inaugural Adaptive Lacrosse Games take place in Pittsburgh this week, with the event running all day on Friday and Saturday.

As a former collegiate player at Princeton, Bruce Lincoln credits much of his lacrosse success to the skill development he experienced as a youth player in Lutherville, Md. His local youth program provided the type of guidance and coaching that he now wishes to pay forward to young players in New York City.

Earlier this year, Lincoln launched Uptown Lacrosse to specifically serve youth in Harlem and the other neighborhoods in Upper Manhattan.

In the heart of Brooklyn, where basketball courts outnumber grassy fields and subway rides replace minivan drop-offs, a lacrosse revolution has quietly unfolded.

The Brooklyn Crescents Lacrosse Club, co-founded by Wes Jackson and now led by executive director Jen Nardi, has spent nearly two decades transforming a sport often associated with suburban privilege into a powerful force for community, equity and opportunity in New York City.

As part of a diverse military community, the leadership team for Pikes Peak Lacrosse (PPL) in Colorado Springs understands the importance of helping local families overcome the barriers to lacrosse participation. They take an active approach to providing needed assistance.

“We offer full and half scholarships, equipment rentals, and utilize volunteers to help transport children back and forth to practice and games,” said Christopher Heese, president of PPL. “Our community has people from all walks of life, from military families to Natives. We do not want to turn anyone away.”

The first season of the East Bay Adaptive Lacrosse program in Rhode Island wrapped up last month, and by all accounts, it proved to be a big success.

Through the efforts of 40 volunteers, including high school lacrosse players from five area schools, 20 adaptive students, ranging from kindergarten through ninth grade, took part in the four-week program at Barrington Middle School.

Four years ago, four freshmen at Mamaroneck (N.Y.) High School enrolled in an elective class called Original Civic Research and Action (OCRA). The goal of the class is to have students research their community, identify a challenge or issue that needs attention, and then develop a problem-solving framework to address the issue. The class is progressive over four years, keeping students engaged in the process over the full span of their high school careers.

The West Hills High School boys’ lacrosse program, like many other recent start-ups in California, is on the fast track. Launched in 2022, West Hills became a full CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) member the following year and has advanced to the Division III championship in each of the past two seasons.

USA Lacrosse has announced the process and timeline for its 2025 grant offerings, which provide resources to groups and organizations to support local lacrosse development and opportunities.

USA Lacrosse grants are designed to reduce barriers to participation, increase inclusivity, and fuel game growth in communities throughout the country by awarding equipment, financial support, and educational opportunities.

Last year, USA Lacrosse awarded 184 grants to organizations across 44 states with a total retail value of almost $370,000.