Greenport Lacrosse Shootout draws thousands to high school
The 23rd annual Greenport Lacrosse Shootout, sponsored by the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation and the Nassau County PAL, drew more than 5,000 players, coaches, parents, officials, sponsors and vendors to Greenport High School last weekend.
Participants in the festival included young boys and girls from PAL youth programs as well as other community clubs from Long Island and Connecticut as well as middle school, junior varsity and varsity high school and adult players competing in round-robin tournament games. This year 56 boys teams and nine girls teams took part. In addition, 10 post-high school and college men’s teams competed for the tournament championship.
“This year the Greenport Shootout is dedicated in memory of Harvey Cohen, Matt Beroza, Norm Murray and Harold (Whitey) Hendrickson,” LIMLF chairman Harry Jacobs said. “As a chapter of US Lacrosse, the governing body of lacrosse in our country, the mission of the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation is to foster and promote the game for all in the Metropolitan New York and Long Island areas. These four men have given so much of their time, energy and assistance for the benefit of lacrosse. It is fitting that these games are dedicated in their honor.”
Throughout the weekend, the sidelines of the expansive and well-groomed fields at Greenport High School were lined with canopy tents, tables and chairs, providing a tailgate party atmosphere.
The event also serves as a fundraiser enabling the LIMLF to award scholarships, assist developing community programs and children with special needs programs, and to sponsor clinics for coaches and players.
This year the LIMLF awarded $1,500 individual scholarships to two Greenport High School students. Mercedes Edwards received the Jill Howell Memorial Award and Ryan Costello received the 1st Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Award. In addition, six $1,000 scholarship awards have been given to outstanding lacrosse student-athletes from Nassau and Suffolk counties and New York City.
