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West Metro Lacrosse Coalition and then Youth Lacrosse Minnesota in 2006. The league started with fewer than 10 teams, but just a few years later now has more than 260. Even with his sons in college — Matt at Wittenberg and Mitch at Georgetown — Hugdahl serves as vice president of Youth Lacrosse Minnesota, on the board of Homegrown Lacrosse in Minneapolis, as treasurer of Eden Prairie Lacrosse Association and director of Citadel Lacrosse, an urban program he began coaching last spring. Last year, he began a term on the US Lacrosse Board of Directors. “I try to give back because
it’s given me so much,” Hugdahl said. “When I’m on the fi eld, I’m in heaven.” By playing such a signifi cant role in helping develop youth lacrosse within the state of Minnesota, and by coaching at tournaments nationwide, Hugdahl has a great handle on the challenges of developing the sport the right way. That’s a big reason Youth Lacrosse Minnesota has embraced the concepts of the US Lacrosse Gold Stick Program and is participating in the pilot program this year. The program defi nes
operational standards and best practices that put leagues in the best position to provide a safe and positive lacrosse experience for all participants. “I truly believe that Gold Stick will be a game changer,” said Billy Hook, director of programs for US Lacrosse. “Lacrosse is a great sport already, but Gold Stick will create a lasting legacy that will allow future generations of
A Publication of US Lacrosse
kids to enjoy the game we love, in the safest possible environment, while having fun, learning sportsmanship and developing a lifelong love of the game of lacrosse.”
There are seven basic tenets to match US Lacrosse Gold Stick League Standards:
1. The league follows US Lacrosse age-specifi c rules. 2. It has written policies for governance that are publically available.
3. Plans for safety and risk management are publicized. 4. The league demonstrates a commitment to player safety and sportsmanship.
5. All head coaches are US Lacrosse-certifi ed, which includes a background screening. 6. All offi cials used for league games are trained and certifi ed by US Lacrosse.
7. All players, coaches, offi cials and administrators are US Lacrosse members. Hugdahl thinks Gold Stick brings a level of legitimacy to the sport and streamlines age requirements and rules, which otherwise can vary widely by geographic locations. “You don’t have to worry about these things in the back of your head, because it’s already taken care of,” he said. “You can focus on the kids and concern yourself with the things that are ultimately more important. It allows us to work on the next step of bringing the sport to more people.”
— Brian Logue
US Lacrosse recently eclipsed 400,000 members nationwide.
“The 400K Club” is a Lacrosse Magazine series telling the stories of the donors, staff and volunteers that continue to make it happen.
This membership-driven program is made possible in part by donations to the US Lacrosse Foundation, the philanthropic arm of US Lacrosse. To support the responsible growth of the sport, please consider making a donation at
uslacrosse.org/donate.
November 2012 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 17
Gold Stick Pilot Programs Selected
The US Lacrosse Gold Stick Program will launch this summer, but a dozen leagues around the country (listed below) will assist US Lacrosse by going through a pilot phase of the program this spring. The leagues will use various tools to monitor their progress and provide feedback to US Lacrosse to allow the national governing body to better assist leagues in achieving Gold Stick status.
• Colorado Girls Lacrosse Association • Colorado Youth Lacrosse Association • Connecticut New York Youth Lacrosse Association • Hampton Roads (Va.) Lacrosse League • Hereford (Md.) Lacrosse • Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League • Mass Bay Girls Lacrosse League • Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association • South Florida Youth Lacrosse League • Smithtown (N.Y.) Township Lacrosse • Utah Lacrosse Association • Youth Lacrosse Minnesota
For more information on the Gold Stick program, visit
uslacrosse.org/goldstick.
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