Sports Media Report
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) have officially announced a strategic partnership to help grow the game of lacrosse.
As part of this historic collaboration, the NLL will partner at the IMLCA’s annual meeting in Baltimore Maryland and host an indoor pro-night where NLL coaches, executives and players will demonstrate indoor plays, strategy and skills to the coaches association.
“Together, we will continue to strengthen the game as partners,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “With so much fragmentation in lacrosse, we feel that by creating strategic relationships like this, we can provide a stronger sport across all its verticals.”
In addition, the IMLCA will assist the NLL with an invite only box lacrosse combine on Sept. 7-8 at the Wings Training Center at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J., where graduating NCAA lacrosse athletes can try-out to potentially further their lacrosse careers by playing in the National Lacrosse League, the world’s largest indoor lacrosse league. Five players from last year’s combine, transitioned into the NLL, including Gowah Abrams, Liam Byrnes, Dave Emala, Jules Heningburg and Patrick Resch.
Heningburg was selected in the third round of the 2018 NLL Entry Draft by the San Diego Seals while the other four players earned their way onto a roster via free agency. Only Byrnes, a 2016 Georgia Swarm draft pick, had previous NLL experience. Abrams, Byrnes and Resch saw time with the Philadelphia Wings last year while Emala played seven games for the New England Black Wolves.
“We are very excited about our partnership with the NLL,” said J.B. Clarke, President of the IMLCA. “Our pro night has been extremely well received recently, and the NLL players and coaches have been integral in this growth of our convention. Our college game has been using more and more concepts from the indoor game, and our coaches are excited to learn from the best that indoor lacrosse has to offer.”
Formed in 2004, the IMLCA teaches, promotes and maintains the growth of lacrosse to serve the intercollegiate men’s lacrosse coaches community.
As part of the deal, the NLL and IMLCA will have a strategic marketing relationship that will assist each organization with growing their base and strengthening their core, making lacrosse a more unified sport.
“Our coaches and players are eager to help foster a strong indoor environment and we are excited to work with some of the finest coaches in the world,” said Brian Lemon, who serves as the NLL’s executive in charge of lacrosse operations.
