UDC Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Host WINNERS Lacrosse Clinic at UDC Athletic Field
WASHINGTON, DC – Head lacrosse coaches Scott Urick and Melynda Brown as well as several members of the University of the District of Columbia men's and women's lacrosse programs hosted a group from The Washington Inner City Lacrosse Foundation (WINNERS) Lacrosse organization for an instructional clinic at UDC Field on Saturday afternoon.
Urick, Brown and several men's and women's lacrosse student-athletes ran a clinic that featured drills stressing fundamentals such as stick-handling, passing and catching and shooting. The approximately 20 boys and girls of various lacrosse experience benefitted from the instruction of the seasoned coaches and the student-athletes.
"I feel this is as good of a way as any for the UDC lacrosse programs to give back to the Washington, DC community," men's lacrosse head coach and former nine-year Major League Lacrosse veteran Scott Urick said. "By doing this, in conjunction with WINNERS' ongoing efforts, we're helping make the sport of lacrosse accessible to boys and girls in the DC metro area who otherwise may not have the opportunity. These boys and girls were eager to play, and more importantly, eager to learn…and just a lot of fun to work with."
WINNERS is a nonprofit organization that was started in October 2000 to provide Washington, DC boys and girls from historically underserved neighborhoods the opportunity to learn the game of lacrosse and the life skills associated with playing a team sport. It uses the sport as a vehicle to instill values, education and life-sustaining skills that will ultimately give young boys and girls the tools to be successful on and off the field. Since its inception, it has introduced the game of lacrosse to over 5,500 inner city DC youth.
Brown, who had a stellar high school career at Council Rock South in Pennsylvania and college career at UMass, said she is encouraged by the sport's growth throughout the District of Columbia.
"I think WINNERS is a tremendous organization," Brown said. "These boys and girls are getting a fantastic opportunity, and we're thrilled to be a part of the continued growth of this great sport in the nation's capital."