Special Events

Just like the headline says, look here for events that are special (to us anyway) -- VIP in-store visits. Big games, dye-ins, stringing clinics, and other lacrosse related events.

MLL PDX WEEK!

As part of the MLL PDX events earlier this month Lorne Smith from Warrior returned to Portland to coach some youth clinics in the area and he brought some friends with him. MLL carreer goal scoring leader Jesse Hubbard along with LA Riptide teamate Greg Bice and PCX Camp directors Woddy Moore and Lyle Tomlinson joined Lorne at Bigfoot for two nights of pizza and raffle giveaways. Greg and Woody kept things rolling in the shooting cage with contests that included not only the kids but the mom's and dad's got into the action as well. Huge thanks to Lorne and the guys for making the time to not only come up to share some knowledge with the local laxers but as always for making the effort to spend some time with us at The Foot. We look forward to having you all back soon.

Team STX: Harrison and Hughes

We welcomed an old friend and a new friend last weekend as Kyle Harrison returned to Bigfoot Lacrosse and he brought along his roommate, fellow LA Riptide and Team STX member, Brett Hughes. Kyle and Brett met local fans, signed autographs, got some shooting in in the cage and watched some of the NCAA quarter final action on the big screen. Particular attention was payed to the UVA / UMBC game as Kyle's cousin, playing for UMBC almost pulled off the upset against Brett's Cav's. Great thanks to STX and especially to Kyle and Brett for taking the time to hang with us at The Foot. We look forward to seeing you guys again soon. -

Dangerous Dan Meets Bigfoot

NLL All star and new LumberJax team member Dan Dawson came by the Foot last weekend to meet some of the local fans, get everyone ready for this Saturday's opening night and even took some time to pass on some shooting tips in the cage. Considered to be one of the top two if not the top offensive weapon in the league, Dan brings some serious scoring punch to the Jax this season. Dan led his Arizona Sting teams to the NLL championship game two out of the last three years and we hope his string continues this season with Portland. We were excited to help welcome Dan to town and look forward to watching him and the Jax this weekend as they kick off the season against the Titans. Jax ticket info is available at www.portlandjax.com.

Jax Camp

They're Back!!! The season we thought we'ed lost is under way albeit training camp. But hey, that's something to be excited about considering the earlier cancellation of the season and the thought of being left with the taste of last season in our mouths for another year. The Jax shook off the rust this last weekend in their seconed weekend of camp and also got to know a few new faces. The biggest name of course was "Dangerous." Picked up in the Sting dispersal draft, Dan Dawson is a huge addition to a team in need of a big time scoring threat. Dawson's presence on the right side should allow more room for Ryan Powell to manuever as teams will have to step out to guard Dawson. Along with Dawson, look for former Sting players Derek Malawsky and Brad MacDonald to be big contributers. Also look for a sure-to-be crowd favorite, former Swarm forward Spencer Martin who defintley looks like he should be on a team called the "LumberJax." Get your tickets for opening night if you haven't already (www.portlandjax.com.) it should be a big year for Portland.

Stars n Stripes

For lacrosse fans the place to be earlier this month was the Tualatin hills rec center as Portland played host to the seconed annual US Lacrosse Stars n Stripes weekend. Showcasing some of the best womens players in the world, the US elite and developmental squads took on top west coast NCAA teams from Stanford, Cal and our home state Oregon Ducks in the weekend event. Inbetween games the girls from the US teams helped pass on their knowledge and love of the game to some 250 high school and youth players that attended the afternoon clinic. A typical cold and wet, early October weekend here in Oregon didn't do anything to dampen the spirits of the players or the fans and everyone was treated to a great show put on by the US teams. Special thanks to Ann Carpenetti and the folks at US Lacrosse for bringing us such a great event and best of luck to the US women in Prague 2009!

MLL FINAL FOUR

Headed back home to Rochester to catch up with the family and take in the MLL games at Championship weekend. This was my first experience seeing the MLL live and let me tell you it did not dissapoint. Like a lot of other purists I had my reservations on the MLL rules changes like the shot clock, 2 point line, etc. but none of those things interfered with the game and I think the shot clock was great. The action was moving all game end to end. Tough weekend for the hometown Rattlers as they ran into a more determined LA squad but not as tough as Denver's journey just to be there and field enough unis and equipment to play. After cancelled flights and an overnight bus trip they game up just short with an overtime loss to eventual champion Philadelphia. It's an amazing acheivement considering all they went through just to be at the field and playing that day. If you haven't seen the MLL action live, do so. You will not be dissapointed. As you can see from the pictures there were plenty of kids and familes there enjoying the great weekend including a couple sets from Mikey Powell's band Villan's Trust. Can't wait for that MLL expansion team in Portland Mr. Stienfeld! (Hint, Hint!)

POWELL BROTHERS CAMP

Quickly becoming one of the favorite weeks of the summer for local laxers, Ryan brought his brothers Casey and Mikey back home to Portland for the annual Powell Brothers camp last month. A couple hundered players worked through some of the hottest days of the summer learning the techniques and work ethic that made the brothers the reigning family of lacrosse. Is there a future "22" among them? Was the first 'blue chipper' from Oregon, ala Cal's Will Yeatman in the crowd? Time will tell but there was no shortage of enthusiasm to be found from either campers or coaches. Always great to watch the Powells do their thing. Look forward to seeing you all together in town again next year.