Bethany to host lacrosse clinics at Bison Stadium

• Women's Lacrosse Clinic (Information / Registration)
• Men's Lacrosse Clinic (Information / Registration)

BETHANY, W.Va. (Dec. 12) - The Bethany College lacrosse programs have announced that they will host four preseason "Tune Up" Clinics for students in grades 8-12, beginning with a session on January 20th at Bison Stadium. Additional sessions will take place on January 27, February 3 and February 10, with each beginning at 2 p.m.

Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Ryan Hilyer will lead the sessions on the boys side, while Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Liz Blake will direct the girls sessions. Sessions will cost $30 per athlete or $100 when you sign up for all four days (bring a friend and receive 20% off).

Sessions will include conditioning and stickwork and will conclude with a scrimmage. Each session will focus on a different skill each week, such as agility or footwork, and players will have the opportunity to receive individualized coaching from the Bethany coaching staffs.

"Coach Hilyer and I want to reach into the local areas of West Virginia and the Ohio Valley to grow this sport," said Blake, who was named the program's first head coach in July. "Since 2001, lacrosse has exploded around the country, growing 225 percent between 2001 and 2016 (Source: US Lacrosse)."

Lacorsse is currently the fastest growing high school sport, expanding from 2,192 teams in 2011 to 2,752 teams in 2016 on the boys side for a growth 25.6 percent, and 1,999 teams in 2011 to 2,572 teams in 2016 for a growth rate of 28.7 percent. 

"With the addition of a varsity women's program for the 2018-19 year and our men playing its first season in 2011, Bethany has been a part of this growth and it's just a piece of what makes this game so great! We want to help to continue to expand the game throughout this area and are focusing these clinics within our local radius, offering college level coaching to athletes just learning the game, as well as those looking to continue playing in college. These sessions are meant to be an accessible way for students in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Western Maryland to develop their game and get ready to go into the season at full speed."

For any questions and to learn more about these opportunities, please reach out to Men's Head Coach Ryan Hilyer (RHilyer@bethanywv.edu) or Women's Head Coach Liz Blake (ablake@bethanywv.edu). In the event of inclement weather, the clinics will be moved into the indoor Thomas Phillips Johnson Heath & Recreation Center.