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Denver City Lax Gala
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Denver City Lax’s Mile High Gala Celebrates Diversity in 5th Year

Editor’s Note: We welcome Mr. Rod Allison from Denver City Lax to share the great news about what’s been going on in the Mile High City to kick-off the 2018 lacrosse season!

An overflowing crowd celebrating diversity in the game filled the United Club level last week at the home of the Denver Outlaws for the 5th annual Denver City Lax Mile High Gala.

Denver City Lax works year-round offering lacrosse plus educational and enrichment opportunities at no cost to at-risk boys and girls. A high-spirited social hour preceded dinner and an inspirational program about the great things happening on and off the field with Denver City Lax.

Success through Lacrosse

Program participants took the stage to talk about the impact lacrosse and City Lax has made on their lives. First up was Jada Bonner who joined City Lax as a 6th grader and will graduate college this spring from Regis University as an All American.

Denver City Lax Gala

Jada is the first City Lax participant to complete a four-year collegiate degree.

“I’ll also be the first person in my immediate family to graduate college,” said Jada to a sold out crowd that included her Regis head coach Sarah Kellner.

Also sharing their City Lax lacrosse experience was Ezekiel Brown and his mother Yolanda.

Zeke’s a 12-year old cancer survivor the lacrosse world came to know this past summer when the Make a Wish Foundation granted his dream of becoming a Denver Outlaw and Warrior pro.

“We take kids with no history with lacrosse and give them the opportunity to immerse in the sport so they can also take advantage of educational opportunities associated with the game,” said Denver City co-founder and program director Ben Allison. “City Lax families are now viewing lacrosse as a genuine pathway to positive outcomes.”

Luminaries in the Game

Denver City Lax board and staff members in attendance included Denver Outlaw president and Chief Commercial Officer for the Denver Broncos, Mac Freeman; University of Denver coaches Bill Tierney and Matt Brown; FIL World champion, MLL champion and Boom Town Lacrosse founder Dillon Roy; and current MLL Offensive Player of the Year Eric Law.

Denver City Lax Gala

Also in the house were players from the DU Pioneer senior class including Trevor Baptiste; Colorado Mammoth General Manager Dan Carey, and players Jeremy Noble, Dillon Ward, Dan Coates, Jordan Gilles, Brad Self, Josh Sullivan, and Taylor Stuart ; Denver Outlaws Matt Bocklett, Brent Adams, Josh Hawkins, and director of player personnel Jon Cohen; Warrior Lacrosse pro services manager Ken Clausen; and LXTC chief and lacrosse great Trevor Tierney.

Generous and Welcoming Community

“We are in awe at the generosity and encouragement of the Colorado lacrosse community,” said Allison. “It begins with being able to provide access and opportunity for boys and girls to participate. Once kids fall in love with lacrosse it’s essential they also have the opportunity to progress in the sport. The Gala helps provide funding for us to do that.”

Sponsoring this year’s Gala were LXTC Lacrosse Training Center, Boom Town Lacrosse, the Denver Outlaws, Headwrapz, Encore Brand Lacrosse, Team 180, DoCo Lacrosse Club, 3d Lacrosse and Elevation Video.