Major League Lacrosse and New Balance Partner To Support Boston-Based MetroLacrosse Program

BOSTON, MA – (July 1, 2010) – Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, and New Balance today announced a partnership that will use the upcoming Major League Lacrosse All Star game to raise funds and awareness for the Boston-based MetroLacrosse program, which is the largest urban lacrosse program in the US, serving more than 700 urban youths in Boston, Chelsea, Brockton and Lawrence.

The MLL All Star game, in which the Major League Lacrosse All Stars take on the US Men’s National Team, will take place on July 8th at 7PM at Harvard Stadium in Boston and be broadcast on ESPN2HD. All Team MLL players will autograph their limited-edition jerseys worn during the game and the jerseys will be auctioned off from 9 p.m. July 8- to 9 p.m. July 18th. The New Balance Foundation will match the funds raised by fans and all proceeds from the auction will benefit MetroLacrosse’s efforts to expand its successful urban lacrosse program to other major cities.

“Major League Lacrosse is very pleased to do all we can to support the work of MetroLacrosse, which has changed the lives of so many young people in the Boston area,” said MLL commissioner David Gross. “We have seen MetroLacrosse grow over the last decade to become the country’s largest urban lacrosse program and we look forward to seeing the organization expand into other major cities across the country.”

“New Balance is proud to partner with MetroLacrosse, an organization that not only works to bring lacrosse to urban youth but provides academic support and mentoring to its participants,” said Mark Cavanaugh, general manager of team sports for New Balance. “Lacrosse is America’s fastest growing team sport and we support MetroLacrosse for making it accessible to young people who otherwise would not have access to the excitement and lessons in teambuilding that come with this game.”

Since 2007, Major League Lacrosse, with the generous support of the New Balance Foundation, has raised over $120,000 for charities through the online auctioning of limited-edition, autographed All-Star Game jerseys. Past beneficiaries of the MLL All Star Game have included Wounded Warrior Project (2007), Special Olympics North America (2008), and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (2009).

“We are very grateful for being chosen as this year’s MLL All Star Game Charity and for the ongoing support of Major League Lacrosse and New Balance as we’ve grown over the last decade,” said Emily Helm President & CEO of MetroLacrosse. “The proceeds from this event and the further support of New Balance and Major League Lacrosse will help MetroLacrosse take our successful model to other major cities where we will involve more urban youth in lacrosse and promote academic and personal excellence in each of our participants.”

Tickets for the MLL All Star Game can be purchased by calling 617-746-9933 and at www.bostoncannons.com.

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