A Heartfelt Thank You
To everyone who contributed to the incredible progress of lacrosse in Nebraska this past year—Youth, High School, & College Programs- Thank you! From the Panhandle to North Platte, Lincoln, Gretna, Millard, Elkhorn, and beyond, your passion, effort, and commitment have created an undeniable wave of momentum. Together, we’ve built a foundation that will shape the future of this sport in our state.

2024: Milestones Worth Celebrating

• Making History with the First-Ever Proposal
  This year, lacrosse achieved a groundbreaking milestone by being presented as a sanctioning proposal to the Nebraska High School Athletic Association. Though we narrowly missed passing the first voting level, coming within a few votes, this is a massive accomplishment. It marks the start of a new era for lacrosse in Nebraska.
• Unprecedented Collaboration Across the State
  This past year, programs united like never before—sharing resources, collaborating on strategies, and consolidating efforts to strengthen the sport. Whether competing on the field or working behind the scenes, we came together around a shared belief in the transformative power of lacrosse.
• Program Growth and Success
  Schools across the state embraced the challenge of growing their programs. One school doubled its team size, going from one team to two full teams for this spring season. Others secured sponsorships to adopt lacrosse as an activity, showing that schools are willing to invest in this sport even without formal sanctioning.
• Rising Visibility
  Lacrosse gained significant exposure through social media, events, and clinics. Partnerships with organizations like the University of Wyoming and the Denver Outlaws brought national attention and resources to Nebraska’s athletes. These efforts have elevated the sport’s profile statewide.

Challenges That Drive Opportunity

1. Building a Sustainable Officials Program
   Officials are the backbone of any sport. By developing a stronger, more structured officials program, we can ensure that games are played without the worry of cancellations or staffing shortages. This progress is essential to maintaining and expanding the sport.
2. Enhancing Youth Feeder Programs
   Youth programs are critical for the long-term success of high school lacrosse. Programs that share resources, hold clinics, and consolidate efforts have already laid a strong foundation. Building on this momentum will demonstrate to schools that lacrosse has a steady flow of athletes ready to support their teams.
3. Overcoming Systemic Policy Barriers
   • Sports in Common Seasons: Aligning lacrosse with common sports seasons can enhance recruiting opportunities and increase participation. Evidence shows that playing in traditional seasons creates more opportunities for students beyond high school. District 2 express concern to have Lacrosse in the uncommon season of fall with other districts supporting spring. For the future success of student-athletes, we should want to advocate to have lacrosse sanctioned in its common season: the spring.
   • Simultaneous Participation: A proposed policy to allow students to play multiple sports in the same season has already passed the first voting level. Removing this restriction would provide more flexibility for student-athletes, allowing them to embrace lacrosse alongside other sports. This proposal passed to the next round and if we want lacrosse to grow and be a spring sport, we should support this.

Action Plan for 2025

• Securing School Sponsorships: Schools that have embraced sponsorships are seeing tremendous growth. Sponsorships provide vital resources, allowing teams to thrive. By prioritizing partnerships within schools, we can accelerate the adoption of lacrosse across Nebraska.

• Fostering Leadership Development: Research shows that team sports like lacrosse not only enhance academic performance but also build essential leadership and team-building skills. Programs like Project Play provide actionable strategies to integrate these elements. Let’s brand Nebraska lacrosse as a sport that not only excels on the field but prepares students for lifelong success.

• Expanding Collaboration: The Nebraska Lacrosse Connection will resume monthly meetings in January to foster alignment and resource sharing, as well as complete the Nebraska Lacrosse State Resource Directory. By continuing to collaborate, we can avoid scheduling conflicts, share strategies, and ensure that every program benefits from collective knowledge and effort.

• Submit Proposals for 2025: We’ll refine and resubmit proposals for lacrosse as an emerging sport, building on this year’s progress. By addressing systemic challenges and showcasing statewide support, we can move closer to statewide recognition. 

• Build Youth Feeder Programs: Youth programs are essential for long-term growth, providing a steady pipeline of players into high school teams. Hosting clinics, sharing resources, and promoting visibility will ensure the sport reaches more communities. 

• Strengthen Officals Programs:  A strong officiating program ensures games run smoothly and enhances the sport’s credibility. Recruiting, training, and retaining officials will eliminate staffing shortages and support lacrosse’s growth.

Spotlight on Achievements Across Nebraska

• Alliance and North Platte: Brought in clinics and external partners, such as the University of Wyoming, to raise awareness and provide resources.
• Millard North: Made history by creating Omaha’s first competitive girls’ travel lacrosse team.
• Lincoln: Brought in Professional Denver Lax Player, Jake Piseno, for youth clinics.
• Omaha Rebels: Creating an engaging and skill-building program, Nebraska’s Premier Semi-Professional Box Lacrosse Team, our youth love to play in the off season.
• Midland University: Collaboration with high school programs offering high school clinics. 
• Many Programs Statewide: Secured sponsorships, expanded team rosters, and elevated lacrosse’s visibility across Nebraska.

Why This Year’s Progress Matters

This year’s near success was not a loss—it was a beginning. The proposal sparked awareness, created conversations, and brought lacrosse closer to statewide recognition. Next year, we will build on this momentum with a renewed focus on:

• Strengthening youth programs.
• Advocating for systemic policy changes.
• Highlighting the life-changing benefits of lacrosse, from building confidence to creating college opportunities.

A Call to Action

Let’s continue what we’ve started. Together, we can break barriers, grow programs, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to benefit from this incredible sport. Lacrosse isn’t just a game; it’s a tool for building stronger communities, shaping future leaders, and changing lives.

Thank you for being part of this journey and making this past year a powerful step to progress. Let’s make 2025 the year we bring lacrosse to its rightful place in Nebraska’s athletic landscape.

Work Together, Rise Together.