I am pleased to share that the Minnesota Chapter of US Lacrosse has announced it will be participating in the U-13 National Youth Festival Tournament in Warren Ohio in June 2010.  As the head coach for TEAM MINNESOTA U-13,  I wanted to broadcast this information to the contacts around our lacrosse chapter community so that you could help spread the word about the opportunity.  I have included FAQ’s to help you spread the word on behalf of our Chapter. Thanks for your attention. If you have a specific question, please e-mail me at the address below.

Rob Graff

What is this event?  Each year, US Lacrosse supports a U-13 and U-15 Youth Festival for their Chapters around the US.  Each Chapter is invited to send one boy’s team and one girl’s team per age level.

When will it take place?  The 2010 event will take place on Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13, 2010.  We would require travel to Warren on Thursday June 10, 2010

Where will it take place?  This year’s event for the U-13 Festival will take place In Warren Ohio.

How will the team get out there?  At a parent meeting of the selected player's parents we will decide on either personal travel (i.e. each player's family on own to arrive by specific time) or team travel (likely a coach bus, unless unique airfare opportunity arises). We will stay at same hotel, and that hotel cost will be built into team cost.

Who can try-out?  Any boy who meets the US Lacrosse age definition, and who is a current USLacrosse member may try out.  If I've read the instructions correctly, players may not be 13 years of age on or before December 31, 2009 to be eligible.

Does it matter what grade I am in?  Not really, as long as you meet the age requirement.  Most of the players will be in either 6th or 7th grade based on their birthdates.

Can I play more than one year in this event?  No, US Lacrosse states that a player may only participate once in the U-13 Festival.  If you are in 5th grade and make the team, you will not be able to tryout again next year.

How much will it cost?  A great question.  I will have that information detailed at the tryout. It is my goal to keep it under $500.00.  It will be several hundred dollars per player which will include 3 nights of  hotel (presuming 1 parent/player per room), team pinney/shorts/shooting shirt, team supplies (balls) and practice time.  Note that this sum does not include the cost of travel.  Our Chapter - the MLA - has provided a significant contribution to offset the registration fee for the team.   NOTE - There will not be a tryout fee for any player who may want to tryout for the team.    IF THE TEAM DECIDES TO DO ANOTHER TOURNAMENT, WE WOULD ADD TO THE FEE.

How will the players be selected?  Two tryouts will be held in Bloomington at the Hillcrest School Field. Detailed directions will be provided in response to player registration.  Weather permitting, the tryouts will be on March 28 and April 3, 2010.  There will be a waiver to sign at tryout, so please arrive early.  The March 28, 2010 will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  The second will be held on April 3rd from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.  Players are encouraged to attend both tryouts to properly evaluate all the players.   Any player who is interested in participating in the Youth Festival will be required to attend tryouts.   All players trying out should wear their a reversible pinny, preferably one with white and a color.  A staff of experienced evaluators from selected associations will evaluate the players.  Players will be evaluated upon attitude, position specific skills, athletic ability and lacrosse IQ.  The team will be made up of approximately 20-22 players (roughly - 2 goalies 2 LSM's 4 Close DMen 1FOGO 8 Middies 4 Attack - this adds up to 21, and coaches reserve right to add one more at any position to a total of 22 or only select 20). Do you need an invitation to tryout?  No.  This team will consist of athletes from within the Minnesota Lacrosse Chapter borders who are also registered with a YLM Association for the 2010 summer season.  BUT YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE TRYOUT BY MARCH 14th, 2010.  And, again, there is no fee for tryouts.  
How do I register for the Tryouts?
BY MARCH 14th, 2010  email the following information to -
PLEASE PUT "TEAM MINNESOTA REGISTRATION" in the SUBJECT LINEPLAYER NAME:BIRTHDATE (note if you make the team, you'll be required to produce a Birth Certificate for your son at the first practice)
POSITIONASSOCIATIONUS LACROSSE MEMBERSHIP #
PARENT CONTACT NAME:
PARENT CONTACT E-MAIL:
PARENT CONTACT PHONE #:
Who are the coaches?
Rob Graff - Head Coach. University of Minnesota - Duluth Men's lacrosse head coach for the past 17 years.  Played NCAA D1 lacrosse at Harvard, and coached 2 years at NCAA D1 Drexel University.  Coached youth lacrosse for the past 4 years with Bloomington, winning 2 state championships at the 5th/6th level.
Brian Hochman - Assistant Coach.  UMD Graduate, USA West team member, All UMLL lacrosse player.
Max Mittelstaedt - Assistant Coach  UMD Graduate, St. Thomas University Lacrosse Assistant Coach, All UMLL lacrosse player
Additional guest coaches will bring their specialized knowledge (face-off/goalie etc) to certain practices.

When will the team practice?  With the traditional spring season occurring for all the players, all priorities will be given to the players and their spring Association teams.  The PRELIMINARY practice schedule includes practices on April 18/25 May 2/9/16/23  & June 6.  In early June/late May, a couple practices MAY  take place during the weekdays leading up to the tournament.  IF the team chooses to do one other tournament, an additional practice schedule will be circulated. It is  our hope that by scheduling practices on Sunday afternoons, that most conflicts will be avoided.

Where will practices be held?  Practices will be held at Hillcrest School lacrosse fields in Bloomington 

Why would I want to play on this team?  The players on this team will be representing the Minnesota Chapter of US Lacrosse.  The spirit of the event is to play competitive lacrosse against boys from all around the United States and to “Honor the Game”  As a result, game scores are not kept in any of the games (may be 4-5 games total for the weekend).   Our practices will be fast-paced and geared toward developing lacrosse IQ, and speeding up players' existing skills.  They will have the opportunity to learn from other great players in the state, and build friendships with these players.