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**truebluefan** · 07-19-2008, 07:28 AM

Hubbard to appear at clinics

Jesse Hubbard, one of Major League Lacrosse's most prolific scorers, will headline the list of MLL PDX clinic coaches. As part of MLL PDX, professional field lacrosse players have made themselves available to teach lacrosse skills to the general public.

A five-time MLL All-Star, Hubbard plays for the Los Angeles Riptide as an attacker. In his first season with Los Angeles, Hubbard has scored 15 goals and added nine assists for the second place Riptide.

A veteran of nine MLL seasons, Hubbard began his career with the New Jersey Pride before being acquired by the Riptide prior to the 2008 season. Hubbard led the MLL in scoring from 2001-03.

In college, Hubbard attended Princeton University where he helped lead the Tigers to three NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships in addition to becoming a three-time All-American.

Hubbard also has ties to the National Lacrosse League, where he played from 1999-2001. With the Baltimore Thunder in 1999, Hubbard was named the NLL's Rookie of the Year.

Also joining Hubbard as clinic coaches are: Lorne Smith, Lyle Tomlinson, Todd Eichelberger and Woody Moore.

MLL PDX clinics will be held on Wednesday, August 6th at Westlake Park from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and on Thursday, August 7th at Sunset High School from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $60 per day. For players who sign up for two days, a $25 discount will be applied towards their ticket purchase. Discount to be applied on the order form.

**truebluefan** · 07-19-2008, 07:30 AM

The Boston Blazers (The Official Site of the Boston Blazers - Blazers) today announced the appointment of Brett Zalaski to the position of Director, Ticket Sales. Zalaski will report to team president Doug Reffue and is responsible for directing the Blazers' ticket sales operations. The Blazers begin play in the National Lacrosse League in January 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden.

"Brett is an ideal candidate to spearhead our broad set of ticket programs," said Reffue. "His past experience with the NBA and the D-League will be beneficial to the Blazers and I am confident that he will be a key member of our organization as we introduce the Boston Blazers to New England lacrosse and sports fans."

Zalaski joins the Blazers after serving as Director of Ticket Sales of the Erie Elite, the NBA's D-League franchise in Erie, Penn. He also worked as an executive at the NBA's league office in the team marketing and business operation.

"Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the world," said Zalaski. "I look forward to this tremendous opportunity to help launch the Boston Blazers franchise."

The Blazers' 2009 schedule will be announced in the near future. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 1-888-BLAZERS or by logging onto The Official Site of the Boston Blazers - Blazers.

About the Boston Blazers The Boston Blazers will begin indoor professional lacrosse play in January 2009 in the National Lacrosse League. On May 9, 2007, the NLL awarded owner Tim Armstrong a Boston franchise, making it the 13th member of the league. That same day, Tom Ryan was introduced as the Blazers head coach. For more information, please see: The Official Site of the Boston Blazers - Blazers.

**truebluefan** · 07-19-2008, 07:30 AM

The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm announced today that the NLL Board of Governors has unanimously approved John J. Arlotta as the new owner of the franchise.

"We are pleased to introduce John Arlotta as our newest team owner in the National Lacrosse League," said NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. "John is an incredibly successful businessman and has a great passion for lacrosse. We could not ask for a better combination in a new owner, and we welcome John and his family to the NLL."

Arlotta is the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denver-based Coram Inc., a privately held provider of home infusion and specialty pharmacy services. Prior to Coram, he served as Chairman, President and CEO of NeighborCare Inc. Arlotta joined NeighborCare in July 2003, and took the company public in December of that year. From 1995 to 2000, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Caremark Rx as well as the President of Caremark's specialty biotech drug distribution business. He started his health care career in 1971 at Chicago-based Baxter International.

"I am truly excited to officially take over the ownership of the Minnesota Swarm franchise, and I want to thank my good friend Craig Leipold for giving me this opportunity," said Arlotta. "The Swarm has made great strides both on and off the field in its first four seasons in the National Lacrosse League and I look forward to helping the organization achieve the ultimate goal of bringing a championship team to Minnesota."

Arlotta is a 1971 graduate of the University of Notre Dame who majored in marketing. He and his wife currently reside in Denver and Milwaukee and, in addition to John's three children, Mindy, Andy and Jon; they have two grandchildren, Devin and Riley.

Arlotta's son, Andy, will be a part owner and will join the Swarm on a full-time basis. He will be involved in a number of aspects of the business, including sales and sponsor relations. Andy is a 1999 graduate of Northern Illinois University, where he was a Division I wrestler. He has spent the last 10 years working in the healthcare industry, most recently as National Account Manager at Managed Healthcare Associates, a group purchasing organization for specialty pharmacies.

Arlotta and his wife, Bobbie, pledged the lead gift toward a new $5 million lacrosse stadium to be built for the University of Notre Dame's men's and women's lacrosse teams in June of 2007. Groundbreaking ceremonies for Arlotta Stadium were held on April 18, 2008.

Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE) purchased an NLL franchise on August 10, 2004 and the Swarm began play in the 2005 season at the Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota recently completed its fourth campaign and set franchise records with 10 wins and an average attendance of 11,405 fans per game while advancing to the playoffs for the third straight time. The Swarm has increased its win total all four seasons in the NLL and owns a franchise mark of 32-32.

MSE announced on May 14 that a letter of intent was signed to sell the team to John J. Arlotta. The Minnesota Swarm will continue to play its home games at the Xcel Energy Center and MSE will also continue to support and provide certain business services. The Swarm will begin their fifth season in the NLL, as training camp will open in November 2008.

**truebluefan** · 07-19-2008, 07:31 AM

The Portland LumberJax Dance Team will be holding auditions for the 2009 season on Saturday, August 16th at 9:30 a.m. and on Sunday, August 17th at 10:30 a.m. Both tryout sessions will be held at the Memorial Coliseum Georgia Pacific Room.

Tryouts are open to all girls who are 18-years-old by August 1st, 2008. Registration forms are available by clicking HERE. There is a $10 tryout fee. Cash or check is accepted and all checks should be made out to Portland Lacrosse, LLC.

Forms and tryout payments can either be mailed to the Portland LumberJax front office, or brought to Saturday's tryout. Below is the address.

Portland LumberJax

Attn: Dance Team Tryouts

Once Center Court Suite 150

Portland, OR 97227

Dancers trying out are required to wear a form fitting top, form fitting shorts/dance pants, athletic shoes or dance shoes as well as professional looking hair and makeup. Dancers are also required to bring a dance resume and a head shot (non-returnable). Please do not wear any baggy clothing.

All dancers must have flexible evening schedules for rehearsals, games, and appearances during the season. All dance team members will also be required to attend several community/charity events.

Saturday, August 16th (Prelims)

Location: Memorial Coliseum Georgia Pacific Room

300 Winning Way

Portland, OR 97227

Time: Tryouts begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. Please park in the Annex Garage off Drexler Drive.

Sunday, August 17th (Finals)

Location: Memorial Coliseum Georgia Pacific Room

300 Winning Way

Portland, OR 97227

Time: Finals begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. Please park in the Annex Garage off Drexler Drive.

**truebluefan** · 07-19-2008, 07:32 AM

The San Jose Stealth professional indoor lacrosse team has named Jeff Dowling as its new head coach, it was announced today.

Dowling replaces Walt Christensen, who stepped down after three seasons with a 23-25 record, including back-to-back 9-7 seasons and a West Division regular season title in 2008. He also led the Stealth to two playoff berths, including the West Division Final in 2007.

Dowling joins the Stealth with vast experience in the National Lacrosse League as a coach, scout and personnel director. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach for Buffalo and helped lead the Bandits to the NLL title in 2008.

"Jeff has a very impressive background as a coach, scout and assistant general manager and he has been a part of two championship teams in Buffalo this year and Calgary in 2004," Stealth President and General Manager Johnny Mouradian said. "He has such a wealth of knowledge about the game both from a technical standpoint and from the personnel side. We are very excited to have him join our organization."

Dowling has had one head coaching stint in the NLL, serving as interim coach for Calgary in 2007, where he posted a 4-3 mark and guided the team to the playoffs. He has been an assistant coach in Buffalo and Calgary, coaching offense and defense, and he earned his stripes in the front office as Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel for the New York Titans.

"It's not very often that you get a chance to step into a head coaching role with a championship caliber team," Dowling said. "I am very excited for this opportunity. Johnny Mouradian, Doug Locker and San Jose's management staff has put together one of the most talented teams in the league. To have a chance to work with natural leaders like Colin Doyle and Anthony Cosmo will be a great pleasure. I can't wait to get started."

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