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Joe Eck Woozles lacrosse cradel big blue
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Chicago Outlaws To Host The US Developmental Box Lacrosse Team

The Chicago Outlaws, an amateur box lacrosse team that participates in the Midwest Indoor Lacrosse Association, is hosting an exhibition weekend on August 4th and August 5th at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, IL. On Saturday, August 4th, the Outlaws will take on the US Box Lacrosse Developmental Team, and on Sunday, August 5th, the MILA All-Stars will take on the US Developmental Team.

Mike Synek Chicago Outlaws box lacrosse
Mike Synek playing for Chicago.

The box lacrosse exhibition is part of an effort to push the Chicago Outlaws into the professional ranks, and also elevate box lacrosse on the sports map of Chicago. This will be the second Pro Invitational game that the Chicago Outlaws are going to compete in.

Last year the Outlaws took on the Kentucky Stickhorses, who compete in the North American Lacrosse League. Tickets for the August event can be purchased at https://www.searscentre.com/events/385/. In addition to the exhibition games, the Midwest Indoor Lacrosse Association continues to grow with two separate divisions this year.

Information on the Chicago Outlaws can be found at www.chicagooutlaws.net. Pretty awesome stuff happening in the box lacrosse scene in Chicago!

We reached out to players on the Outlaws and the US Developmental team for their thoughts on the game:

Brendan Gorman – Owner/President/Captain – Chicago Outlaws

“As president, and an active player of the Chicago Outlaws, I am excited to put Chicago back on the map when it comes to box lacrosse. Since captaining Ireland in the 2011 WILC I have helped teach and promote the game here in Illinois, and this will be a great stage to showcase our team.”

Joe Eck – US Developmental Team Player

“This is going to be my second box tournament, and it’s truly been an honor to play for this team. Last month we traveled up to Burlington, Vermont and played the Vermont Voyagers in a double header, where we lost the first, and won the second.

Joe Eck Woozles lacrosse cradel big blue
Joe Eck has dangle. A natural for the transition to box.

“I am excited to play another tournament now in the Windy City. Being relatively new to the box game, it’s still going to be a learning experience for me, but I am surrounded by a talented group of guys, and a great group of coaches, and that make the learning curve that much steeper, but also easier to manage. There is never a dull moment in box lacrosse!

“Hopefully we can draw a decent crowd with the games being held the same weekend as Lollapalooza!”

Mike Synek –  2nd Year Player – Chicago Outlaws

“This is a great opportunity for the Chicago Outlaws to compete at a high level, against a highly skilled opponent. This is only our second year as a team and we are continuing to promote box lacrosse in the Chicago land area, and taking steps to Grow the Game.

“Playing against the Team USA Developmental squad will be a great test for our team collectively. I am extremely excited for the chance to play on such a big stage, and it should be a great weekend of lacrosse!”

Tim Holden – 2nd year player/Asst Captain – Chicago Outlaws

“This weekend means a lot to the lacrosse community and myself as I have dedicated the last 13 years of my life to this sport. This weekend means alot to the town of Chicago as well as the Chicago Outlaws are the only next level team based here. Its exciting that high level lacrosse has made it’s way back to the Windy City.”

Ray Kincaid– Director of Marketing and Operations

“The US Lacrosse Exhibition Weekend will be a special weekend on many levels, as it will mark the return of indoor lacrosse to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates (former home of the NLL Chicago Shamrox), it will be the first visit to the Chicago area from Team USA-Indoor Lacrosse, and it will be an opportunity for the Chicago Outlaws to showcase their level of talent to local fans.

“As the organization promoting this event, we are excited to offer so many opportunities to the lacrosse advocate. From the Saturday afternoon clinic being hosted by Team USA’s Head Coach, Tom Ryan, to the USA/Outlaws game Saturday night, to Sunday morning’s College Showcase Game, finishing up with the USA/MILA All-Star game Sunday afternoon; this truly is a weekend event of lacrosse that has something for everyone.”

If you’re interested in checking out the games on August 4th and 5th in Chicago, please contact Ray@chicagooutlaws.net for more information, or call 888-SEARS-TIX for tickets and pricing.