It’s no secret that residents of Iowa know how to grow things. The state ranks first in the nation in beef, pork, corn, soybean and grain production.
Chad Gano, president of Waukee Lacrosse in Iowa, is passionate about also growing lacrosse in America’s heartland. He wants to expose the game to as many kids as possible within a fun, competitive, and positive environment.
In Gano’s mind, one of the best strategies to support this mission is to have young people try lacrosse as part of their school’s physical education curriculum. That’s also a strategy supported by USA Lacrosse, primarily through the organization’s grant program.
“The goal is to get kids involved and excited,” Gano said.
Working in partnership with the Johnston School District, located just north of Des Moines, Gano applied for and received a USA Lacrosse physical education grant in 2024 that provides sticks, balls, cones, and goals to support a school curriculum. Summit Middle School is now using that equipment to introduce the game to its 1,200 students in 6th and 7th grades.
“What an opportunity we now have to open up the world of lacrosse to all these boys and girls who didn’t even know this game was an option for them,” Gano said. “We had never been able to get into the schools before to show kids the game of lacrosse. We want all of them to learn about the sport and be able to continue playing if they want to.”
Waukee Lacrosse, a non-profit club that offers both a fall and spring season, currently has about 150 participants, but is eager to keep expanding as more of the students from PE classes seek an outlet to stay involved. Waukee also offers summer camps and winter clinics for first time players.
Gano says that the middle school PE classes are having a direct impact, evidenced by tangible growth and increased participation. He hopes that the enthusiasm among new players grows to the point that a second rec program can be launched in Waukee’s neighboring town of Johnston.
“We have increased our membership by 30-percent in the past year, including the addition of our first girls’ program,” Gano said. “After just one week of PE classes, kids were wanting more lacrosse and wanting to play this spring season. There’s so much opportunity to grow the game.”
The physical education grant for Waukee and Summit Middle School was one of 184 USA Lacrosse grants awarded in the past year to local organizations across 44 states with a total retail value of almost $370,000.
USA Lacrosse will begin accepting online applications for its 2025 grant cycle on June 1, but the organization is currently accepting interest form submissions from potential applicants. USA Lacrosse will provide email updates and reminders to those who complete the online interest form.
“We have so much more work to do, but this grant has helped lay the groundwork,” Gano said. “Thank you to USA Lacrosse for your support of our kids.”
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The USA Lacrosse Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Lacrosse. The Foundation helps drive the three main pillars of the USA Lacrosse mission: 1) Fuel the growth; 2) Enrich the experience; 3) Field the best national teams. Supporting the foundation provides thousands of children across the country with the opportunity to experience the gift of lacrosse. To learn more and donate, please visit www.usalacrosse.com/donate
