The tournament will take place in February in Columbus during President’s Day.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced that the Jr. Knighthawks teams will compete in the USBOXLA-sanctioned Midwest Classic this February. The Knighthawks are sending three junior teams to the tournament as part of their first ever winter program.
The Midwest Classic, presented by Resolute Lacrosse, will take place from Saturday, Feb. 17 and Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Resolute Athletic Complex in Columbus, Ohio. At the President’s Day Weekend tournament, teams will be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals at the PeeWee, Bantam, and High School age groups.
“The Resolute tournament is one of the premiere box tournaments in North America,” said Brad Gillies, who serves as the Knighthawks’ academy director. “They have a great venue and host quality teams from around the country. I’m really excited for the test it will give our guys.”
Founded in 2009 by Ohio State alumni and Major League Lacrosse all-stars Greg Bice and Anthony Kelly, Resolute Lacrosse is based in Columbus and is a leader in lacrosse training and athlete development. In addition to their competitive, elite teams, Resolute Lacrosse hosts position clinics, training sessions, individual lessons, coaching clinics, and camps.
The Midwest Classic, which enters its fifth year, was launched as a means to teach and grow the box game the right way. Originally focused on the field game, Bice and former Knighthawk Anthony Kelly felt a need to integrate box lacrosse into their program.
“We said, ‘We have to start teaching box.’ It was still taboo in the states; people weren’t playing,” said Bice. “Now the pendulum has swung (in the other direction). We were at the forefront which is really nice. We were the first people to go all in with box in the Columbus area. It’s really benefitted our kids and they love it.”
Bice was excited to add the Jr. Knighthawks to the 40-team sold-out tournament. The Midwest Classic draws teams from all over the United States, including Texas, Washington, Maryland, New York, and North Carolina.
“We are always trying to get the best box teams in the country and the Jr. Knighthawks are in that mix,” said Bice. “We are fired up to get them down to Columbus.”
Jr. Knighthawks Tryouts
To play for the Winter Jr. Knighthawks, boys can try out on Monday, Dec. 18 at Turf Time in Pittsford and on Saturday, Dec. 23 at Connors & Ferris Field at the Blue Cross Arena. The Jr. Knighthawks will compete in the Upstate Winter Shootout and the Midwest Classic. Go here to register for tryouts: https://knighthawks.formstack.com/forms/jr_knighthawks_winter2018