Prior Lake Athletics for Youth

Thanks to all 360 of you that registered.

We grew another 12% (or 38 players) over last year, which is even more impressive if you consider we lost 18 players to Shakopee's 5th/6th and 7th/8th summer programs.

The season starts May 21st, if you haven't had any communication please reach out to the appropriate grade level coordinator listed on the Lacrosse Board page.

We will be placing another order for boy's shorts for this summer.  If you are interested in purchasing a pair they are $25 each.  Please contact Dan Gratz if you would like to place an order.

Develop an organization that projects a positive image by developing players, showing respect and being committed to fair play while maximizing participation for all and ensuring that all players are having fun.

Thanks to all that attended.  The presentations can be found on the Documents page on our website.

The boys spring league is available at the 3rd/4th, 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade levels.  The spring league will run from late-February through late-May.  The spring season is a more casual atmosphere and is intended as a way to “get the rust out” prior to the summer league season.  Teams will be divided equally based on observation of the coaches during the first couple of practices.  As the amount of practice time will be limited the spring season is recommended for players that have the basic skills as there will not be a lot of practice time devoted to the basics.  Practices will begin indoors and will be held at primarily at Ames Arena in Lakeville with limited practices at Hopkins Pavillion.  Practices will move outdoors once the weather allows.  Practices will be held once or twice a week throughout the season.  Games will be held on the weekend with two games played at the same location on the game dates.  For the 7th/8th grade level games start the weekend of April 21-22 and will run for 5 consecutive weekends.  For the 5th/6th and 3rd/4th grade levels the games will start the following weekend (April 29-30) and will run for 4 consecutive weekends.

The boys summer league is available at the 3rd/4th, 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade levels.  The summer league will run from mid-May through the state tournament on August 3rd through the 5th.  Practices will primarily be held Monday – Thursday. Most practices will be held at Hidden Oaks Middle School; however we will have some new locations added this season.  There may also be some practices on Fridays and Saturdays, but every effort will be made to limit those.  There will be 10 regular season games; these will only take place on weeknights (Mon-Thur).  Each team will also have one weekend tournament in their schedule included in their registration.  Each team will also have the opportunity to participate in additional weekend tournaments if they so desire.  These have proven to be great developmental tool as teams have the opportunity to play up to half a season’s worth of games over the course of a weekend.

Participants from outside of ISD 719 wishing to participate in the Prior Lake Lacrosse Program will be put on a waiting list during the open enrollment period.  Once open registration is completed participants on the waiting list will be admitted to the program on a first-come first-served basis until team rosters reach a maximum of 22 players per team. Email Jessica.Barian@dpsg.com to be placed on waiting list

The girls spring league is available at the 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade levels. Please note that 4th graders can play at the 5th/6th level. The spring league will run from March through May 19th. Each team will also have the end of season tournament May 19th which is included in the registration fees. Practices will begin prior to spring break and will be held at Ames Arena in Lakeville. Practices will move outdoors once the weather and fields permits. Practices will be held approximately 2 times a week throughout the season. Games will be similar to the summer season and scheduled as single games on various dates. Most games will be played on weeknights, but there is the possibility of weekend games.

The girls summer league is available at the 3rd/4th, 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade levels.  The summer league will run from late-May through July 28^th.  Practices and games will primarily be held Monday – Thursday at Twin Oaks and Hidden Oaks Middle Schools; however we will have some new locations added this season.  There will be 8 regular season games; these will only take place on weeknights.  Each team will also have the end of season tournament included in their registration. There will also be the opportunity  for players to participate in additional weekend tournaments if they so desire. These tournaments have proven to be great developmental tool as teams have the opportunity to play up to half a season’s worth of games over the course of a weekend.

The in-house program for 1st and 2nd graders was a success last season as we had more demand than spots available. Due to this we have added this into the regular registration process with no cap on the number of players.. The idea behind this program is to give kids the opportunity to try out the sport to find out if they like it before making an investment in the equipment. For the $100 registration fee (about half the cost of outfitting a player with pads, helmet and a stick) they can try out a season and get full use of the equipment for that season. This program focuses on teaching kids the very basics of the sport (catching, throwing, scooping) to prepare them for the traveling levels at 3^rd grade and above.  The season will consist of eight weeks (May and June) of twice a week practices/scrimmages.  Please note that as the majority of the participants of this program are boys, the format of the program will be the boys game. Boys and girls lacrosse are extremely different styles. However, girls are welcome to participate in the program. A deposit check of $200 will be required at the time the equipment is handed out.

Lacrosse is an exhilarating sport, fast-paced and full of action.  The game incorporates long sprints up and down the field with abrupt starts and stops, passes and dodges.  Lacrosse is played with a stick (the crosse) which the player uses to throw, catch and scoop the ball.  The sport of lacrosse is a combination of basketball, soccer and hockey skills.  Anyone can play lacrosse-- big or small.  The game requires and rewards coordination and agility.

The boys game requires a helmet and pads as the game includes contact.  At levels through 6th grade stick checking is allow, this is where the player is allowed to strike the stick or gloved hand holding the stick in an effort to dislodge the ball from their stick.  At the 7th and 8th grade level body checking is allowed.

The girls game only requires a mouth-guard and goggles.  Some stick checking is allowed, but in very limited capacities.  No body checking is allowed at any level in girls lacrosse.

What we know today as the sport of lacrosse was originally a Native American ritual based on spiritual ceremonies.  It was also used in place of war as a way to settle disputes between tribes. Events, at that time, could last for days with the goals (which were often tress or sticks in the ground) miles away from each other. 

Our lacrosse organization has been a success due to our parent volunteers.  Other than paid high school players assisting with the girls teams and the boys teams at the 7^th/8^th grade level all of our other positions are volunteers.  We have seen a lot of success come at the hands of parent volunteer coaches.  We encourage parents to help grow Prior Lake Lacrosse by volunteering as a head coach, assistant coach, team manager, grade level coordinator etc.  If you have any background in basketball, football, hockey, baseball or soccer you will be a quick study of lacrosse.  Additional opportunities will exist throughout the season as two volunteers are needed at each home game (one to run the clock and one to manage the scoring) and each team is required to have a CHILL manager at each game.  The CHILL manager is a parent designated to ensure that sportsmanship is displayed on the sidelines.

Last and most importantly there will be a need for volunteers at the 5th Annual Prior Lake Lacrosse Tournament on June 30th and July 1st.  This event has been wildly popular and very successful and this wouldn't be possible without the help of the great volunteers we have had in the past.  We will look to get participation from parents at all levels to make this event a continued success in 2012.

The main objective of Prior Lake Lacrosse is to introduce this wonderful sport to our young players and teach them the fundamentals that are essential to succeed. The ultimate goal is to make this a positive and fun experience for the players, parents and coaches.

We are always looking for assistance, please contact us if you have ideas for ways in which you can help or if you would like to help in any fashion

• Equipment Coordinator - Filled by Greg Kimmes

• 1st/2nd Grade Coordinator  - Fill by Pete Joas

If you have any general questions or comments or are interested in coaching, asst. coaching or just helping out please send an email to: