NXTsports is thrilled to announce an elite slate of games for the fifth annual Philly Charity Showdown at Citizens Bank Park, beginning with a pair of youth all-star games featuring teams from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Click here to sign up for tryouts.
The night culminates with four games between some of the best club and high school teams in the country as NXT Lacrosse Club, Episcopal Academy, St. Augustine Prep, LB3 Atlanta, Philadelphia Freedom Lacrosse, Laxachusetts, Mesa Fresh and HEADstrong will square off under the bright lights of CBP.
“The 2014 Philly Charity Showdown is a celebration of Philadelphia lacrosse and because of that, there’s a very strong presence from the area,” Director of Showcase Lacrosse Brett Manney said. “We’re fortunate to have some of the best lacrosse players in the country right in our backyard, so having these teams be a part of this special night is a huge honor for both NXT and I. There’s going to be some very high-level lacrosse being played on the coolest lacrosse field in the world, all for a great cause. NXT is partnering with the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and all net proceeds benefit their Comprehensive Concussion Center. It’s a fitting start to the biggest lacrosse weekend of the year.”
Many of the area’s finest coaches will also take part in the evening as they help coach the seventh and eighth grade all-star games that kick off the night.
“I’m so thrilled that all of these coaches have agreed to be a part of such an awesome night,” Manney added. “They’re a group of some of the brightest coaching minds from several of the top organizations in the area and will help make the evening that much more special for our seventh and eighth grade all-stars from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The kids will be getting elite-level coaching while taking advantage of the opportunity to play on the single best lacrosse field in the world.”
Philly Charity Showdown general admission tickets are available for $20, while tickets for children 12 & under are $5. VIP tickets are available for $150, which includes seating in the Citizens Bank Park Group Suites, catered food & beverage, panoramic view from outdoor deck, and heated indoor reception. A limited number of VIP reception tickets are available, and will sell out quickly. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Phillies Phone Center at 215-463-1000.. Click here to obtain tickets.
Philly Charity Showdown Schedule
5 p.m. – Seventh grade Pennsylvania All-Stars vs. New Jersey All-Stars. Click here to sign up for tryouts.
5:50 p.m. – Eighth grade Pennsylvania All-Stars vs. New Jersey All-Stars. Click here to sign up for tryouts.
6:40 p.m. – Episcopal Academy vs. St. Augustine Prep
7:30 p.m. – LB3 Atlanta vs. Freedom Lacrosse
8:20 p.m. – NXT vs. Laxachusetts
9:10 p.m. – Mesa Fresh vs. HEADstrong
All-Star Team Coaches
7th Grade Pennsylvania
Ryan Tessler has been the head coach at Holy Ghost Prep since October 2012 after a year as an assistant and has developed the Firebirds into a top-25 team in the Philadelphia area. A four-year starter as a faceoff specialist at Saint Joseph’s University, Tessler is also the the Director of the NXT Bandits at the middle school level and also coached as an assistant coach at Bethpage (N.Y.) for three years.
Jeff Baxter enters his second year as the NXT 2023 head coach and has previous assistant coaching stints at Widener University women’s program, Neumann University, Strath Haven High School and Westtown School. Jeff was a four-year starting attackman at Saint Joseph’s University.
