NEW YORK — Today, eight of the leading thought leaders of lacrosse in the United States announced the formation of ELEVATE28 and its mission to double the country’s participation in the sport to 4 million annual players by the end of the decade.
Athletes Unlimited, Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association, Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association, J Tsai Sports, National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, USA Lacrosse and World Lacrosse have signed a charter, pledging to unify, communicate and support one another to reach their shared goal.
To commemorate the occasion, representatives from the organizations will ring The Closing Bell® at the New York Stock Exchange at 4:00 p.m. ET today.
“I’m thankful to my fellow lacrosse stakeholders and leaders for their commitment to unify and elevate our sport to new heights,” said USA Lacrosse CEO Marc Riccio. “It is an unprecedented moment in time for us to work towards our shared goal of growing lacrosse participation and show the world lacrosse can change lives. This level of cooperation is transformational and is truly monumental.”
This group commits to strategic initiatives and platforms, primarily for kids, under the unified ELEVATE28 banner to ensure every community across the country has equal access to the sport. Representatives from all eight organizations will be joined by U.S. National Team athletes and players from Bronx Lacrosse at the NYSE bell ringing.
The formation of ELEVATE28 comes on the heels of the International Olympic Committee’s vote to include lacrosse in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. It will be the sixth time lacrosse has been included in the Olympics, but the first time as a medal sport since the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.
The unrivaled exposure from the 2028 Olympics is seen as a key driver to help the organizations reach their ambitious goal by the end of the decade.
