Discover Lacrosse: Intro to Lax for Middle School Students

Thousands of New York City students will have the opportunity to pick up a lacrosse stick, learn a new sport and discover what it means to be part of a team as CityLax, the nation's largest urban-based lacrosse-focused nonprofit, continues its popular Discover Lacrosse program. With the 2026-27 school year underway, programming has already launched at MS577 and Eastside Community School, with MS51 scheduled to begin this week.

Discover Lacrosse brings the game directly into public schools, reflecting a core CityLax belief: Don't wait for kids to find lacrosse. Bring lacrosse to them. Through a multi-week program delivered during physical education classes, students learn the fundamentals of the sport, teamwork and sportsmanship from CityLax coaches while exploring lacrosse's Native American history and cultural roots. CityLax also provides equipment and instruction to school-based coaches, helping schools establish a foundation for continued participation after the program ends.

Helping make that possible this school year is a donation of 658 lacrosse sticks in honor of CityLax board president and professional lacrosse player Rob Pannell, celebrating his achievement of becoming the PLL's all-time leading scorer, with support from Warrior and PLL Assists. The sticks are being distributed to schools at every Discover Lacrosse school this year, ensuring students can participate without the school or families having to purchase their own equipment and removing another barrier to playing.

"Lacrosse has given me so much, and I want more young people to have the opportunity to experience everything the game can offer," said Pannell. "Getting sticks into students' hands is a great first step. They can try the game, learn new skills, build friendships and discover something they might not have known was available to them. I'm grateful to Warrior and PLL Assists for helping make this donation possible and supporting CityLax's work."

CityLax anticipates introducing more than 5,000 new student-athletes to lacrosse this school year. The goal isn't to create the next lacrosse star, but to give young people the opportunity to experience the lessons sports teach: overcoming adversity, learning new skills, working as a team, building confidence and supporting one another. In more than 20 years of operation, CityLax has proudly never produced a professional lacrosse player. Its success is measured by the opportunities it creates and the impact the game has on young people's lives.