From US Lacrosse on Feb. 1, 2012:

For Immediate Release

US Lacrosse Southeast Regional Championship Returns to Raleigh June 15-17

U11, U13 and U15 lacrosse teams should register by March 15

BALTIMORE, Feb. 1, 2012 – The US Lacrosse Southeast Regional Championship will bring boys’ and girls’ youth lacrosse teams at the U11, U13 and U15 age levels to the WRAL Soccer Center in Raleigh, N.C., June 15–17. Coaches or team administrators should register their teams at uslacrosse.org/2012regionals by March 15.

“US Lacrosse youth tournaments have evolved in format and scope since we began them in 1998, but what hasn’t changed is our commitment to running events that offer participants the opportunity to compete with class, honor the game, and build relationships with teammates and opponents alike,” said Beth Porreca, director of special events at US Lacrosse. “We have hosted our youth events at numerous locations around the country to reflect the sport’s growth. Raleigh is great for both the traditional lacrosse communities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and the growing lacrosse community in the South.”

Participating teams will be guaranteed a minimum of four games with US Lacrosse-trained officials and certified athletic trainers on site. Awards will be presented to winning teams and to teams that exhibit the best sportsmanship throughout the weekend. Lacrosse Magazine, the flagship publication of US Lacrosse, will staff the event for its print and online editions. Parking and admission is free for spectators, and lacrosse vendors and concession stands will be available.

In the U15 age division, the top four teams will advance to the fourth annual US Lacrosse U15 National Championship July 24–26 (girls) and July 27–29 (boys) in Orlando, Fla.

“The event was a great success last year, and we’re expecting more of the same in 2012,” said Jason Philbeck, sports marketing manager for the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (raleighsports.org). “Raleigh is a convenient location for all lacrosse teams in the East, and our Southern hospitality will ensure that all of the traveling teams and families feel right at home.”

US Lacrosse is returning its Southeast Regional Championship to Raleigh after debuting there in 2011. The event traces its history to 1994, when the National Junior Lacrosse Association, one of eight lacrosse organizations that united to form US Lacrosse in 1998, brought teams from around the country to its first youth lacrosse festival in Towson, Md. US Lacrosse will host its West Regional Championship June 1–3 in Phoenix, Ariz., and its Central Regional Championship June 8–10 in Arlington, Texas.

The Atlanta Coyotes (Ga.) won the 2011 US Lacrosse Boys’ U15 Southeast Regional Championship, and North Carolina captured last year's title in the Girls’ U15 division on its home turf.

For more information or to register a team, visit uslacrosse.org/2012regionals. Like the Southeast Regional Championship at facebook.com/uslacrossechampionships and follow the event at twitter.com/uslaxchamps.

About US Lacrosse
US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse. US Lacrosse has 400,000 members in 63 regional chapters around the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. To learn more about US Lacrosse, please visit www.uslacrosse.org.