The National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association (NILCA) conducted its inaugural meeting during the IMLCA Convention this past December 2nd-4th in Baltimore, Maryland. The NILCA was formed to provide dedicated service to high school lacrosse coaches throughout the United States. Issues the NILCA will address during its inaugural year include playing rules, the establishment of an all-America program, relations with the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association and identifying solutions to issues raised by high school coaches.

“The NILCA Board of Directors is excited to launch the Association that will best represent high school lacrosse coaches around the United States,” said Ren Pettinelli, inaugural NILCA president. “We are positioning NILCA to provide tremendous value to high school coaches and the high school game and welcome every high school coach to become active in our collective efforts". The initial board of directors will be: Ren Pettinelli, president (St. Louis MO); Jake Reed, vice president (Baltimore, MD); Scott Howe, treasurer (Louisville, KY); Joe Baccarella, secretary (Farmingdale, NY), John Kenny, rules chair (Detroit, MI), and Tom Hall, awards chair (Syracuse, NY).

The NILCA presented its inaugural awards program during its business meeting on Saturday, December 3rd. The initial awards program included the Coach-of-the-Year and Man-of-the-Year awards. In addition, the NILCA all-America program will be introduced during the meeting.

Membership in the NILCA is open to any active high school coach in the United States. Details regarding the inaugural membership campaign will be announced in early 2012.

Man of the Year
Tom Hall

Coach of the Year
Bob Hartranft-Farmingdale High School

Milestone Awards for Coaching Victories

Mark             Sweeney      Madison High School (NJ)      100
Rick             Brocato      St. Paul's School             100
William          Humphrey     Providence HS                 100
Stew             Curran       Thayer Academy                100
Rick             Trizano      Iona Prep                     100
Pete             Schroeder    Louisville Trinity HS         100
Malcolm          Lester       St. Albans                    200
Jim              Kaspar       Long Beach                    200
Dick             Sipperly     Charlotte Latin               200
Shaun            Stanton      St. Sebastian's School        200
David            Blue         Hudson High School            200
Ren              Pettinelli   Lafayette High School         200
Chris            Kenneally    Fayetteville-Manlius          300
Richard "Curt"   Sawyer Jr    St. Thomas More Prep (DE.)    300
Jake             Reed         Dulaney High School           300
Stephen          Connolly     North Andover                 400
Bob              Streeten     Corning East High School      500
Bob              Hartranft    Farmingdale                   600
Michael          Messere      West Genesse                  700
Joe              Cuozzo       Ward Melville                 700