Major League Lacrosse makes strong partnerships

BOSTON, Mass. - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) is the fastest growing youth-participation sport in the United States. In 2005, four new teams in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Denver were added to form the Western Division. With this incredible growth comes great responsibility. MLL has established two partnerships, with the Center for the Study of Sport in Society and New Balance, which will help its continued success on and off the field.

In May 2005, MLL demonstrated its recognition of its social responsibility by becoming the first professional league to engage in the Center for the Study of Sport in Society's Mentors in Violence Prevention Training. MLL should serve as an example to other professional leagues on the importance of educating its staff and players in violence prevention.

MLL in recognition of its fiscal responsibility partnered with New Balance, an organization that shares its values. The progressive nature of the league coincided with the New Balance brand. New Balance has agreed to design uniforms for 2006 and host the New Balance Championship Weekend in Los Angeles. The growth of the league is at a grass roots level, but its progressive approach to its commitment to social justice is stick lengths beyond the competition.

About the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University is one of the world�s leading social justice organizations that use sport to create social change both nationally and internationally. The flagship organization located in the heart of Boston, Mass. was founded in 1984 by Dr. Richard Lapchick and touts branches in Baltimore, Md. and Phoenix, Ariz. Through research, education, and advocacy the center promotes physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people and college and professional athletes. Sport in Society�s innovative programs are all staffed by former college or professional athletes and have been awarded America�s most successful violence prevention program by Lou Harris, the Peter F. Ducker Award as the most innovative non-profit program in the social sector, and have been cited as the National Crime Prevention Council�s 50 Best Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes. For more information please visit http://www.sportinsociety.org