More than a splash of new will mix with the tried and true at the 2018 US Lacrosse Convention (LaxCon) set for Jan. 19-21 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Advance registration continues for lacrosse’s largest educational and networking event for coaches, officials and organizational leaders. US Lacrosse members can purchase all-access tickets for just $125 through Jan. 12, a savings of $35 vs. the walk-up rate and a discount of $40 vs. the non-member rate. Registration includes free access to an audio and video library of sessions for on-demand consumption following the event.

LaxCon annually attracts more than 7,000 attendees, surveys of whom confirm the popularity of returning speakers like John Danowski (Duke/Team USA), Tim Puls (Stevenson), Cathy Reese (Maryland) and Janine Tucker (Johns Hopkins).

But some big-name first-time speakers highlight the lineup. Maryland’s John Tillman will join the slate, hosting a featured session for men’s coaches at 6 p.m. Friday. (Reese will mirror that with a concurrent presentation for women’s coaches.) Also new are Delaware men’s coach Ben DeLuca and Navy women’s coach Cindy Timchal.

“Our speaker committee did a great job securing proven presenters that resonate with our attendees while also recruiting other top coaches to help keep our lineup fresh,” said Kim Rogers, director of events at US Lacrosse.

LaxCon keynote speaker Jon Gordon is a former player at Cornell and a prominent voice in coaching circles of many sports. The keynote session has moved to 8 a.m. Saturday, following a 7:30 welcome and announcements by US Lacrosse CEO Steve Stenersen. Also new is the LaxCon app, available for download via iTunes or the Google Play store.

For information or to register, visit uslacrosse.org/laxcon.

Get Better with Box

For the first time, LaxCon will feature a box lacrosse live demonstration field, complete with dasher boards. 

It’s another step in US Lacrosse’s commitment to the indoor game since announcing Oct. 17 a new set of standardized rules for men and women at all levels of play from ages 6U and above.

Five instructional demonstrations will take place on the field — led by Georgia Swarm head coach Eddie Comeau, NLL Hall of Famers Tom Marechek and Johnny Mouradian, U.S. indoor coach Regy Thorpe and Lionheart Lacrosse youth club founder Erik Holt — and three additional classroom sessions about officiating and game play also are scheduled. 

LaxCon attendees can enjoy six of the eight box presentations on Saturday before gaining free entry to the U.S. indoor intra-squad scrimmage at 7 p.m. at Du Burns Arena in the nearby Canton neighborhood. 

“Our box lacrosse sessions have more than doubled from previous years as we look to make LaxCon the best lacrosse training event in the world,” said Rick Lake, US Lacrosse senior manager of the men’s game. “Box lacrosse makes better playmakers by improving stick skills, dodging techniques, footwork and adds to a player’s lacrosse IQ.”

“In our session, we will utilize the necessary skills in box lacrosse to develop talent in the outdoor game,” Comeau said. “This reinforces what we already knew in the NLL — we have the best lacrosse players in the world. The youth and college coaches are recognizing the importance of box training.” 

Who’s Who

Here are 10 must-see speakers appearing at LaxCon.

FRIDAY

6 p.m.: Cathy Reese, Maryland
Reese knows how to win. She led the Terps to their 14th NCAA title, her 11th overall as a player and coach. She will present the featured women’s coaches session Friday.

6 p.m.: John Tillman, Maryland
Tillman, fresh off of leading the Terps to its their NCAA championship since 1975, makes his first appearance as a LaxCon speaker. He’ll give the featured presentation for boys’ coaches.

SATURDAY

9:30 a.m.: Greg Gurenlian, Team USA
The Faceoff Academy founder and 2015 MLL MVP will hit the STX Live Field with New York Lizards faceoff specialists Jerry Ragonese and Brendan Fowler.

9:30 a.m.: Devon Wills, USC
The All-World goalie with four gold medals in her possession breaks down fundamentals and drills to train your players between the pipes.

10:45 a.m.: John Danowski, Duke/Team USA
The three-time NCAA championship-winning coach presents his philosophy on practice in a session titled, “Now More Than Ever: The Importance of Practice.”

10:45 a.m.: Cindy Timchal, Navy
How do you mimic game pressure in practice? Learn from a Hall of Famer and eight-time NCAA champion who may have done her best coaching in 2017, leading the Midshipmen to a surprise final four appearance.

2 p.m.: Ben DeLuca, Delaware
Another first-time speaker at LaxCon, DeLuca this season will seek some redemption for himself (see feature on page 46) as he replaces Bob Shillinglaw atop the Delaware men’s program.

3:15 p.m.: Sammy Jo Tracy, Long Island Sound
Known to take over in big games at North Carolina, that reputation followed Tracy to the UWLX, where she helped the Sound to their second straight title. The lead instructor for the Draw Control Academy teaches ball control.

SUNDAY

9:15 a.m.: Janine Tucker, Johns Hopkins
The five-time IWLCA Regional Coach of the Year and one of the most popular presenters at LaxCon returns in 2018 to talk about the fine balance between lacrosse and life.

10:30 a.m.: Brandon Childs, York
Childs has led a once-pedestrian Division III men’s team to three NCAA tournaments in the last four years. He presents on skills that make for a productive practice.