Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:

1. The International Olympic Committee on Friday granted provisional recognition to the Federation of International Lacrosse, a major breakthrough for lacrosse in its quest to return to the Olympics. “I can’t think of a more significant milestone in the sport’s history,” said Steve Stenersen, president and CEO of US Lacrosse and vice president of the FIL.

There’s still work to be done, including the creation of a new small-sided discipline of lacrosse that would help its cause as a team sport — considering the IOC’s cap on the number of athletes that can participate in the Summer Games — and addressing the competitive imbalance at the international level. The status of the Iroquois Nationals also could come into question.

In the meantime, the IOC’s provisional recognition of the FIL qualifies the international federation for IOC funding and will help national governing bodies unlock resources from their country’s respective Olympic committees and sports ministries.

Social media buzzed with excitement and conjecture.

It’s official. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given provisional recognition status to the Federation of International Lacrosse. We made it. Lacrosse in the Olympics is now a reality. pic.twitter.com/M8RJ7SvQrN

— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) November 30, 2018

The @Olympics want to play a small sided form of #Lacrosse. 6v6 or 7v7, you don’t have to re-invent the fastest game on two feet.

Hint: 5v5

Isn’t that what #BoxLacrosse is? @NLL let them know.

— Bill O'Brien (@Bill_OBrien96) December 2, 2018

EXCLUSIVE: FIL receives provisional recognition from the IOC, hear from @USLacrosse's @RobPannell3, 2018 FIL Men's World Champion. This is the first step for Lacrosse to be postioned into the 2028 Olympics. #growthegame @LaxAllStars pic.twitter.com/0vcmDchjJo

— FILacrosse (@FILacrosse) November 30, 2018

EXCLUSIVE: @USLacrosse's @PaulRabil, 2018 FIL Men's World Champion, talks about FIL's provisional recognition by the IOC, a major milestone for the sport of Lacrosse. This is the first step for Lacrosse to be positioned into the 2028 Olympics. #growthegame @LaxAllStars pic.twitter.com/al4gkFDhOQ

— FILacrosse (@FILacrosse) December 1, 2018

Today, lacrosse officially became one step closer to being in the Olympics. I don’t know about you, but that gives me goosebumps. pic.twitter.com/48gKq3Y2tl

— Kylie Ohlmiller (@kylieohlmiller) November 30, 2018

EXCLUSIVE: Hear from @BrodieMerrill_, Co-Captain for @CanadianLax, silver medalists at the 2018 FIL Men's World Championship, regarding FIL receving recognition from the IOC. This is the first step for Lacrosse to be postioned into the 2028 Olympics. #growthegame @LaxAllStars pic.twitter.com/UngGQqrdeV

— FILacrosse (@FILacrosse) November 30, 2018

Picture of US vs. @CanadaLacrosse at 1932 Olympic in the LA Coliseum playing in front of 75,000 fans, largest crowd to ever watch a lacrosse game. US won best of 3 games with a 7-4 Victory in the third game. @GregBeast32 @USLacrosse @Inside_Lacrosse pic.twitter.com/aW8mxzpPjq

— Thomas (@tomgibsoncomm) November 30, 2018

The Federation of International Lacrosse was granted provisional IOC recognition for a period of 3 years. @FILacrosse will now be able to receive funding from the IOC & can apply for development programs

Lacrosse is on its way to the olympics!https://t.co/wdAdzXW74c

— Major League Lacrosse (@MLL_Lacrosse) November 30, 2018

For Lacrosse to be one step closer to being an Olympic sport is excellent news. But I hope this means that the IOC will recognize and include @IrqLax in this next step.

— Tom Peace (@TPeace19) November 30, 2018

Let's all take a deep breath about the *GASP NEW POSSIBLE OLYMPIC RULES FOR LACROSSE* and think back to playing the game ourselves...

No matter the rules, I've ALWAYS enjoyed the game. HS, NCAA, FIL, MLL, Box... it's all good.

Is this really a hill you want to die on?

— Connor Wilson (@ConnorWilsonLAS) November 30, 2018

I’m glad that everyone is excited about the Olympic committee recognizing lacrosse. I realize that changes would need to be made to make the game more accessible. However, the best versions of the game are the ones currently being played in NCAA, NLL, and MLL/PLL. Change my mind.

— Kyle Devitte (@TheKyleDevitte) November 30, 2018

While I understand the need to examine modifications, it’s disappointing that our game would need to be changed so dramatically for Olympic inclusion. On the world’s biggest stage we should showcase the beauty of space and athleticism (like soccer), not simply fast-paced play. https://t.co/JkUbpk64Qq

— Liz Robertshaw (@LizRobertshaw) December 1, 2018

2. The US Lacrosse West Regional Conference brought 300 coaches, officials and program leaders to Las Vegas for a weekend of education and networking. The event also included a Level 1 and Level 2 Coach Development Program clinics.

The US Lacrosse West Regional Conference in Las Vegas is underway! We’re hosting educational sessions, workshops and best practice sharing for 300 coaches, officials and program leaders to give them the tools to make a positive impact in their lacrosse communities! pic.twitter.com/J8Hzp3lKYx

— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) December 1, 2018

Coach Janine Tucker of @HopkinsLacrosse gearing up to present on Team Culture and Go To Drills at the US Lacrosse West Regional Conference! #WRC #FromTheField #USLGoesWest pic.twitter.com/eLLA3vYYGU

— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) December 1, 2018

From this morning's panel session on "Changing the Narrative About Inclusion", Christianne Malone speaks about her experience in lacrosse.#WRC #FromTheField #USLGoesWest pic.twitter.com/fv9nPbTqYE

— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) December 1, 2018

“Winning is important, but in my opinion, it’s not the main reason we coach. We are influencing people’s lives.” Incredible listening to Coach Tucker from @HopkinsLacrosse at @uslacrosse WR conference. #legend

— Lindsey Hamilton (@lindsey08h) December 1, 2018

Thank you to all that attended the @USLacrosse Regional Presentation on Goaltending. Great seeing @JM3_Coach whose Defensive presentation showcased Mastery for the Defensive Mind.

— Adam Ghitelman (@adam8taylor) December 1, 2018

"Creating rules is an extremely valuable tool for your offense because it eliminates a lot of the thinking that they have to do on the fly and gives them a process of reaction" | Vince Smith, Colorado Mesa Men's Head Coach at the @USLacrosse West Regional Conference #WRC pic.twitter.com/uJiCWjrI3c

— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) December 1, 2018

The Level 1 Coach Development clinic at the West Regional Conference was a success Over 65 coaches were introduced to the responsibilities and philosophies of coaching and how to provide an athlete centered environment that emphasizes positive growth and sportsmanship pic.twitter.com/Mz0ibBzqmD

— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) December 2, 2018

Great conversations today with @uslacrosse coaches and program leaders on how to incorporate mental training and high performance cultures into their teams and programs. Thanks for having me! #mentalcoach465 #day526 pic.twitter.com/uy2Tg0FlkC

— Lindsey Hamilton (@lindsey08h) December 2, 2018

Welcome to Day 2 of the West Regional Conference! On the docket for today: youth, HS and college rule interps, Level 2 CDP clinic, and the Positive Motivation PCA workshop. Lots do to, more to come #WRC #FromTheField #RegionalConference pic.twitter.com/hu0dPmE7KI

— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) December 2, 2018

Thanks @USLacrosse for inviting me to present at the west regional conference! Great talks, great content, great people! Can’t wait for January at #LaxCon and doing a live demo, “Box on the field!” pic.twitter.com/rOXU7pPcQT

— JM3_Coach (@JM3_Coach) December 2, 2018

Thanks for having me @uslacrosse - had a blast presenting, met up with @thechazzwoodson and loved presenting with Liz Brush to some amazing officials! #growthegame #coachwithjoy #USLWestRegionConference pic.twitter.com/7YrPWOIZG5

— Hopkins Lacrosse (@HopkinsLacrosse) December 2, 2018

3. NLL training camps opened over the weekend, one week after the league and the PLPA struck a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. There was plenty of hype and lots of laughs as the players returned to the floor. The season, with a revamped schedule accommodating all eight games that were canceled due to the labor dispute, starts Dec. 15.

#Work pic.twitter.com/MlilQVxP4Z

— Calgary Roughnecks (@NLLRoughnecks) December 3, 2018

"Dude we're supposed to be serious!"
Warriors roommates @DanLomas15 and Owen Barker had a hard time keeping the off their faces during the recent #VancouverWarriors uniform reveal shoot. pic.twitter.com/ShxahxOlnE

— Vancouver Warriors (@nllwarriors) December 2, 2018

Good looks in black and orange, @Vno48.

New mask coming soon. pic.twitter.com/w1HRvmzf9X

— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) December 1, 2018

The boys are back. pic.twitter.com/CtefU8wSYB

— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) December 1, 2018

Round 2.

Mammoth Black v. Mammoth White

Let’s go!! #TuskUp pic.twitter.com/bhmZLCvKOx

— Colorado Mammoth (@MammothLax) December 2, 2018

 

WHAT WE’RE READING

• The post-collegiate lacrosse scene in Northern California is fertile ground for new coaches, officials and volunteers.

• Lacrosse isn’t the only sport celebrating its IOC recognition. Sambo, a Russian martial art and combat sport, and kickboxing also made it to the table.

• A Goucher men’s lacrosse player has been arrested after allegedly vandalizing a dorm with racist graffiti.

• NLL commissioner Nick Sakiewicz, buoyed by the prospect of labor peace for at least the next five years, doubled down on his talk of one day being at the helm of a 30-team league.

• New Vancouver Warriors general manager Dan Richardson made a bold move in cutting Rhys Duch, the former Stealth franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Kyle Harrison opines on black lacrosse players being labeled raw and typecast as defensive midfielders.

Almost 2 weeks later I’m still thinking about it. Had to say something. pic.twitter.com/MUmy9D2OmX

— Kyle Harrison (@KyleHarrison18) December 1, 2018

With news of the death of George H.W. Bush, the nation’s 41st president, Lax Sports Network’s Travis Elridge tracked down this video Syracuse’s 1990 NCAA championship team visiting the White House.

How about this flashback footage?

The late President George H.W. Bush welcomed the 1990 @CuseMLAX team to the White House after they won their 3rd straight @NCAALAX Championship.

It even includes the youthful Gait brothers. @LaxSportsNet pic.twitter.com/ZRNOHSZQa9

— Travis Eldridge (@tgeldrid) December 2, 2018

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher dusted off his lacrosse stick and box skills during a Canucks skills competition.

.@troystecher channeled his inner @NLLWarriors skills to win the @EASPORTSNHL shootout challenge. Look for an increase in Stech's #NHL19 rating pic.twitter.com/NfWCgfjeUK

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 2, 2018

WHAT’S ON TAP

• A deeper dive inside the December edition of US Lacrosse Magazine, which dropped last week.

• Subscribe today to our weekly email newsletter and stay connected to each week’s top lacrosse stories. The newsletter goes out every Thursday.

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