Coaches to host summer lacrosse camps for youth

Emily Buerger

This summer, the Cabrini lacrosse coaches will be using their knowledge to benefit beginners in the game of lacrosse. Steve Colfer, the men’s coach, and Jackie Neary, the women’s coach, with help from Bobbi Morgan, the women’s basketball coach, will be hosting the Cavalier Lacrosse School, a five-day summer camp teaching children entering grades third to ninth the fundamentals of lacrosse.

The camps will take place during the weeks of June 18-22 for the girls and June 25-29 for the boys on the Dixon Turf Field. Daily sessions will go from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., with lunch provided daily. According to the Cavalier Lacrosse School brochure, “sessions will include offensive and defensive station drills, agility training, guest speakers, individual and team competition and full field game play.” Also, there is an extended day program, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for an extra fee, where campers will get time to swim, have individual lacrosse instructions and participate in a variety of other activities.

“This is a great way to spread the sport,” Colfer said. He explained that the camp goes along with the ideals of the college and that this camp was a way to “have the local community be exposed to Cabrini College and our great facilities and coaches.”

“Bobbi Morgan was a big catalyst for me [to do this camp],” Neary said. The women’s lacrosse coach had always done camps off-campus, but now she is “thrilled to be on campus, a place I am comfortable with.”

Members of the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams will also be on hand to help coach the summer day camp.

The flat rate of the camp is $330 per camper, with a $60 option of the extended day. However, pricing is broken down into different choices. If paid by April 15, campers pay $310; if paid by May 15, 2007, campers pay $320. Also, there is a fee of $300 for campers who are a “second child” or a child of a Cabrini graduate or of Cabrini employees.

All campers must bring their own equipment, including mouth guards, sneakers/cleats, eye protection and sticks. However, male campers are encouraged to bring helmets, gloves and pads.

“Although we’re the same sport, it’s played two different ways,” Neary said.

Colfer believes this camp will be able to “plant the seed now” so that campers will have the “tools to be better later.”

“This is good exposure to the college,” said Neary. “Also, for recruits. Not only for school, but for the program.”