This is why we're donating lacrosse goals to all 50 states & around the world

My childhood memories mostly consisted of playing hoops on the backyard courts, baseball on the high school diamonds, and football, soccer…you name it on the full fields down the street. When I was younger, I didn’t know what lacrosse was…I had never seen a 6x6 goal or handled a ball and stick. Not until my neighbor came by and gave me his backup stick did I have my first catch. I was 12 years old, and by 14 I was in love.

Maybe there was something to the discovery of a sport that engaged me. Having to dig through the local library to find out that lacrosse was a Native American game. Without goals to shoot on, we used our imagination in the backyard. I remember spray painting goal posts onto the brick wall against the side of my parents house…crumpling up newspapers to shove inside the diamond-shaped fence holes at the tennis court so I could visualize a goal and take my 100 daily shots. I wonder if not having access to goals instilled in me the work ethic and creativity that I have today. Maybe.

But I do know one thing…I was lucky. Lucky to have a neighbor who introduced me to the game. Lucky to have the ambition to figure it out.?

I also know that my work ethic directed at changing the game and elevating its possibilities wake me up every day to what lacrosse can be for millions of people in North America and around the world.

It’s through my childhood experience, matched with the overcoming of obstacles as a pro, that I’m pleased to unveil our latest community initiative, Goals for Greatness – a commitment to resourcing lacrosse goals in all 50 states, every year.

To inspire and connect athletes around the world through the game of lacrosse.

Our inaugural goal drop is scheduled for this May in Los Angeles. Partnering with Harlem Lacrosse, we’ll be bringing two goals to a local school – and breaking them in with a free clinic to anyone who would like to attend. More details to follow…

I want the next generation to have time and room to experiment. For free play. Creativity and competition. A space to imitate the pros and, eventually, to become one.

In my 23rd year of playing lacrosse, I finally learned that it was never about the outcome. It was always about the game. The game is meant to be played, not won. There is no winning, as there is no end. So I’ll continue to compete, win, lose, sprint, fall, and get back up again. I hope you can do that with me on fields across America.

To learn more about Goals for Greatness, including ways to donate, as well as details on each state’s goal drop, please visit GoalsForGreatness.org .