In 2000, Josh Miller had a simple desire to provide lacrosse opportunities to diverse and underserved communities of youth in San Francisco. As lacrosse enthusiasts, we experienced first-hand the benefits participation in the sport had offered us, and understood that there were many obstacles to participation in the local growth of lacrosse, especially for children of color. We believe that lacrosse is a vehicle for change and that a common respect for the game is a starting point for kids to learn more about one another. With the support of our dedicated volunteers, sponsors, donors and the community, we are "bringing lacrosse to the city and the city to lacrosse."

Over the last eight years, hundreds of boys and girls have learned that lacrosse is the oldest sport still played - a wonderful heritage passed on to us from Native Americans. We've hosted clinics, participated in league play - and had several Bulldogs on travel teams.

Committed adults from all walks of life assist in building intensive, personal relationships with all of our participants. Our players have taken classes at Cal Berkeley and had pizza with pro lacrosse players. All of us - coaches, families, players, volunteers - have met new friends from all over the Bay Area, and from right across the street. We look at how Leadership, Integrity, Friendship and Education can help us make positive decisions in our lives, and how lacrosse is a great place to start!

Our initial venture of a middle-school boys' team has just completed our 7th season. The Bulldogs enjoy field trips to local colleges, participate in tutoring and mentoring sessions and learn about the game from some of the most skilled coaches in the area.

Once school is out, lacrosse isn't over! We assist players in participating in prestigious Bay Area lacrosse camps with scholarships donated by camp directors. Our high school Alumni return and coach Summer LIFE in July. They teach Chumash, a local California tribe's version of the game played today. As the official Community Sponsor of the San Francisco Dragons, we attend Major League Lacrosse games throughout the summer and try and meet up with some of the pro guys for special lacrosse sessions.

High school Alumni participate in Fall Box, an indoor lacrosse program. We visit local schools and after school programs promoting our amazing game and recruiting for our spring season.


Sound like fun? We're always looking for new Bulldogs and volunteers! Email for more information on our activities.

Lacrosse for LIFE is a not-for-profit organization.
We do not charge fees for our activities and require all participants to adhere
to our Code of Conduct and to "give back" through service to the program and
the community. Help us continue to provide our programs to local
children by making a tax-deductible donation!

2006 to date:

• File independent incorporation papers; seek own 501(c)(3) status.
• Host clinic with All American, Johns Hopkins Graduate, Kyle Harrison.
• Recruit volunteer coaching staff of 6 adults.
• 33 youth register for program from 8 different schools.
• Youth from ER Taylor program of 2004 join middle school program.
• Formal goal-setting and LIFE Curriculum implemented.
• Formal schedule of non-lacrosse enrichment activities – including visit to Museum of Technology and Innovation.
• Collaboration with Jim Moss Charity Golf Classic.
• Complete 5th consecutive season in NCJLA.

 
2005

• Community Parent Coaches, Kevin Tucker and Al Rochell, awarded the US Lacrosse National BRIDGE Coaches of the Year Award in Philadelphia, PA.
• Fourth consecutive year of participation in the NCJLA Junior B Division. Players attend multiple development activities including "College Day at Berkeley".
• Brandon Richardson participates on the NorCal All Star U-15 Team in Vail, Colorado.  NCJLA and private donors support costs and travel for him and his mother.
• Three Bulldog players participate in the BRIDGE United U-13 US Lacrosse Festival in New York.
• Four Bulldog players participate in a four-day overnight camp in Monterey and several others attended local lacrosse camps (the majority with scholarships).
• Provide scholarships and transportation to various Bay Area summer lacrosse camps for 15 children.
• Jasmine Rochelle participates in Girl Ventures wilderness program with full scholarship.
• 25 youth register for program, 20 complete the season.
• Founder Josh Miller passes away.
• Founder Johanna Thomashefski elected to US Lacrosse National Youth Council.
• Received Olympic Club Foundation Wings of Youth Grant of $11,000.
• Benefit in NYC, in honor of Josh, raises $17,000.
• CIBC Miracle Day raised $22,000 for Lacrosse for LIFE.

2004:

• 2 Parent coaches join ranks.
• 3rd consecutive season, increase participation & wins.
•  Formed alliance with City Lacrosse Club to provide scholarships to allow any Palega Bulldog alumni to continue to play into high school.
• After-school goal-setting & tutoring begins.
• Work with ER Taylor/Beacon Center After school program.
• Hold 4th Annual Holiday Benefit

2003: 

• US Lacrosse recognizes co-founders, Andrew McDonald and Josh Miller as Exceptional Urban/Motivation lacrosse Coaches of the Year at 2003 Convention.
• Lacrosse for LIFE becomes inaugural BRIDGE (Building Relationships to Initiate Diversity, Growth & Enrichment) Affiliate with US Lacrosse.  Thomashefski serves on Executive Committee.
• Continue with ER Taylor after school program 1-2 times per week, with approximately 40 youth per session.
• 2nd season.
• Harold Ellis III participates on NorCal All Star U-15 team in Vail, Colorado.  NCJLA and private donors support costs and travel for him and his father.
• Providescholarships and transportation to various Bay Area summer lacrosse camps for 15 children.
• Hold 3rd Annual Holiday Benefit

2002:

• Boys' team competes in NCJLA season, with 2-3 days a week of after-school practice and 10 games. (team is 0-10).
• Providescholarships and transportation to various Bay Area summer lacrosse camps for 15 children.
• Girls receive instructional clinics due to difficulties in scheduling full team participation.
• KRON-4 TV segment airs on 5/2/02.
• Feature article in the San Francisco Chronicle on 5/10/02.
• Host 6-team jamboree 5/12/02 at Palega Playground.
• Receive California Governor's Letter of Commendation.

• Host end-of-season banquet through private donations to award boys' team for completing their team commitments.
• Visit MLK and Bayview Hunter's Point YMCA Beacon Center for recruitment.
• Hold introductory lacrosse clinics for interested youth at Palega Playground through the Palega Playstation Summer Camp

• Contract with ER Taylor Elementary and Visitacion Valley Beacon Center after-school program for weekly instructional sessions for twenty-five 3rd-5th graders per session; 2 1 hr sessions per day, 1-2 sessions per week.
• Recruit volunteer staff of 10 to assist with Fall Ball sessions.
• Hold 2nd Annual Holiday Benefit.
• Awarded $15,000 grant from SF Bay Club.
• Feature article in Nov/Dec Lacrosse magazine.

2001:

• Secures Fiscal Agency with Nor Cal Lacrosse Foundation.
• Active recruiting at PE sessions at MLK & Palega.
• Josh offers scholarships to his Tiger Lacrosse Camp, held in San Francisco June 18-21, 2001, to the boys attending these practices and Johanna arranged for scholarships for 4 girls to attend the Olympic Club lacrosse camp held in July 2001.
• Fall instruction sessions garners the interest of approximately 25 boys and 25 girls
• Awarded national US Lacrosse Youth Combo Grant.

Fall 2000:

• Josh Miller seeks site for youth lacrosse program and works with Northern California (NorCal) Lacrosse Foundation, Damone Hale and Martin Luther King Academic Middle School.