In its second year, the Lacrosse Friendship Festival will look to carry on what was started in 2007 as an event that celebrates the great game of lacrosse in WNY.  The Festival hopes to have an expanded format of events and celebrities while also attracting local youth teams.  This year it will be a one-day event on Saturday June 28 at the Town Of Hamburg Recreation Center (“Nike Base”).  That weekend will also be the Lake Erie All Star Showcase, a two-day Elite Club Team tournament (www.lakeerieshowcase.com) that will feature teams such as the Adirondack Empire team.  Each year the Friendship Festival, in conjunction with local lacrosse organizations and businesses will strive to raise money for a charitable cause.  This year, the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware in care of “Colin Zwickert.” 

Colin is the son of Wesley (Del.) College Head Coach Christian Zwickert.  His life story was a feature article in US Lacrosse Magazine’s March 2008 issue.  Colin was a fully healthy baby until his delivery in October 2006.  During delivery, he became stuck and suffered a severe brain injury.  He has since been diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, along with visual, hearing and swallowing difficulties.   Colin was given his last rights on the day of his birth, however as Coach Zwickert states in the US Lacrosse article: “The positive throughout this is that Colin has proven all of the medical professionals wrong.”  The Zwickert family has many medial needs including a handicapped accessible van, home modifications, therapies, medical equipment and medication.  More information on Colin’s progress can be found at the family's web site by Clicking Here.

Tournament Coordinators

• Butch Chadwick | chadwick@buffalolacrosse.com | 716.983.5994
• Michael Wright

Buffalo Area Festival Sponsors to Date

• Blue Bison Sports
• Buffalo Lacrosse Academy (BLA)
• BuffaloLacrosse.com
• Gear-Up Sports
• Kinetic Performance Athletics
• Nickle City Sports
• PlayersSports

Date

• Saturday, June 28, 2008

Tournament Details

• 3 Game round robin format
• Boys Age Groups: u11, u13, u15

Tournament Fee

• $100 non-refundable minimum deposit due by June 1
• Full payment ($300) and roster due by June 15

Festival Details

• Free Admissions
• Local Lacrosse Vendors
• Lacrosse Demonstrations
• Lacrosse Celebrities
• Area College Lacrosse Programs
• Area Youth Lacrosse Programs
• Much More.

Location

• Hamburg, NY

Tournament Policies

For a printer friendly version of the tournament information, click for policies (pdf) and rules (pdf).
Please remember that this is a tournament to allow kids the opportunity to play and have fun. THIS IS NOT A “WIN IT ALL” TYPE OF TOURNAMENT! Please instruct all your players to respect each other, the game, the facility and the opposing team. The BLA expects all players, coaches, referees and fans to honor the game with high character and good sportsmanship.
Tournament Information

• Coaches please note that there will be a certified trainer on site. If there is an injury on the field please notify the field manager and he will contact the trainer immediately.
• Please have all players pick up any trash that they may have accumulated after a game (water bottles etc.)
• We will be on the water, but be advised that there is no swimming in the river and the Lacrosse Friendship Festival holds no responsibility to those that try to swim.
• Registration will take place in the morning. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your first game to check in at the registration table. When registering please have a roster and all of your player’s waiver forms filled out. These must be turned in prior to your team participating in the tournament. This allows US Lacrosse to insure the tournament and your player’s.

Tournament Disclaimer

• The BLA holds the right to cancel any games due to unplayable weather such as lightning, hail or severe rain. There will be no refunds given.

The BLA holds the right to remove any player, coach or fan from the tournament grounds for conduct that is detrimental to the game, tournament or tournament grounds.