October 14, 2025
Hello WLF Leagues & Member Programs,
Recently there have been some exciting new developments at the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation that we wanted to share with you.
1. USA Lacrosse – Map of States that Sanction Lacrosse
A couple months back, when Nevada officially sanctioned HS Lacrosse, Rich Thomson, WLF President reached out to Matt Burke, USA Lacrosse – Midwest regional representative. Rich shared that USA Football has a map on their website for states that sanction high school girls flag football.
Rich recommended to Matt that USA Lacrosse follow the lead of USA Football and put a map on the USA Lacrosse website visually demonstrating what states sanction high school lacrosse.
This map would highlight for the lacrosse community where to provide resources to help these states sanction HS lacrosse so that we get lacrosse as a high school sanctioned sport in all 50 states.
Due to Matt Burke’s hard work in conjunction with the USA Lacrosse leadership made it happen! Here is the map of states that current sanction high school lacrosse.
2. WLF Logo & Spirit Wear Sale
The Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation has a new logo that celebrates boys’ and girls’ youth lacrosse in our state! We wanted our logo to incorporate both the boys and girls game sticks. We wanted the logo to represent our great state of Wisconsin! We’re proud to share it with you!
We’ve worked with Burghardt’s Sporting Goods in New Berlin for an online spirit wear sale! This is an opportunity to support the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation! You can find the link to this fundraiser here: https://bsg.chipply.com/WILAXFED/
3. WLF Board Election
The WLF recently held its annual election on September 28th. We’d like to introduce our Board of Directors:
- President Rich Thomson is in the second year of his first term and works hard to be a cheerleader for youth sport in general. Rich also serves as the President of the Bay Valley Lacrosse Association (BVLA) that coordinates youth lacrosse in northeast Wisconsin for the Fox Valley, Green Bay and central Wisconsin areas and has been the Bay Valley representative to the WLF Board since 2021. Rich is the founder of the Pulaski Lacrosse program, and he is the Head Coach for the Pulaski HS Boys Lacrosse team. When he is not coaching, Rich is in his sixth season as a lacrosse official and officiates most weekends during the summer travel season. Prior to that, Rich was one of the co-founders of Kimberly Lacrosse (along with Amy Odgers, Jodi Goetsch and Ron DeValk) where he served on the Board and coached several youth teams.
- Vice-President Max Lord is newly elected. Max joins us as the WILOA Board Vice President: 2022? – Present, has assisted with MAYLA on-field training for several years, led 2025 HS playoff virtual training, has been an NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Official from 2020-Present, is both a HS/Youth Boys Lacrosse Official: 2010-Present and has officiated in Florida, Virginia, now Wisconsin. We welcome Max and look forward to his support.
- Secretary Emily Anderson is in the second year of her first term. She has many years of board experience and youth lacrosse administration. She’s been a lacrosse family member since 2007.
- Treasurer Dan Rice was appointed by the Board in July and subsequently elected in this election. Dan comes to us from the Wausau Wolfpack and is their Treasurer as well. Dan is a certified USAL coach and works hard to promote lacrosse in the Wausau area.
- Past-President Randy Kohn is returning to the WLF Board to provide experience and expertise as we navigate advancing youth lacrosse throughout Wisconsin. Randy is the WILOA President and has been an official for many years.
- Badgerland Representative Brian King is also returning to the WLF. Brian holds down the fort for Badgerland and Waunakee Boys Lacrosse. Brian brings excellent ideas and support to youth lacrosse in Wisconsin.
- Bay Valley Representative Rich Thompson wears many hats as a coach, official and advocate for youth sports in general.
- MAYLA Representative Faith Wood brings many years of youth lacrosse experience with her to the WLF Board. As the MAYLA Treasurer, she has roots at Franklin Lacrosse and now at Muskego High School Lacrosse.
- Officials Director Don Rohr brings years of experience with him to this position. We welcome Don’s knowledge and expertise to provide youth players across the state with the best officiating possible as he works with WILOA and WWLOA.
- Emmet O’Malley is the WLF Education Director. Emmet is a coach and takes the education of players, coaches, officials, fans and parents, seriously. Watch for more educational opportunities as we move the organization forward.
- Brendon O’Shea was the Events Director when the WLF oversaw the high school tournament and championship. Brendon, also a coach, brings that experience to the WLF as the first Wisconsin Youth State Lacrosse Tournament is being planned.
- Jack Flemming is the WLFs WIAA Liaison. Jack is a wealth of knowledge and support for this organization as we work to ensure the continued growth of Wisconsin youth lacrosse.
- The Marketing and Communications Director position has been brought back to the board. We welcome newly elected Nick Bonafilia to the WLF. Nick is the current WILOA Director of Communication 2020 – present. He is the creator and manager of wiloa.org. Nick is a member of the NWTC Business Management Advisory Council from 2021 – present. Nick provided guidance and feedback on development of Business Management program. Nick has been a youth boys lacrosse official since 2007, and a high school boys lacrosse official since 2012.
Nick began as an NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Official in 2021. Nick was a Boys Lacrosse Assistant Coach – Effingham Knights – 2017 – 2018. Nick was also a Big Brother Big Sister Volunteer – 2019 – 2020.
4. WLF Priorities
Back in our February 2025 newsletter, we discussed the WLF’s three new priorities. With the WIAA absorbing High School lacrosse under its umbrella, the WLF has transitioned to a youth-centric focus. The WLF’s priorities are:
- 1.) Goal #1 – Grow the Game: Organize, foster and assist in conducting clinics, camps and training to Grow the Game and establish new lacrosse programs and teams: Youth Programs: Cities without lacrosse programs.
- Girls Teams: Add Girls teams to existing lacrosse programs.
- Box Leagues: Build winter Box leagues in the four regions of the State.
- • The Milwaukee area is planning for two new youth lacrosse programs in 2026: Cedarburg Lacrosse and the South Side Panthers. The WLF remains committed to providing support to new programs and their leagues. Welcome!
- • The WLF is also pleased to be partnering with the newly formed Wisconsin Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association (WWLOA). The WLF will support WWLOA as they recruit, train and retain high school and youth officials across the state. Watch for a sign-up link for those interested in being a part of the action!
- • National Celebrate Lacrosse Week, November 1-9, 2025, introduces lacrosse to new audiences, making the game fun and accessible for local youth. Through “Pick Up & Play” clinics, young athletes can become more familiar with the sport, connect with local lacrosse organizations, and discover new opportunities to stay involved. We will also announce special themes to give players, parents, coaches, and fans fun ways to celebrate together. USA Lacrosse is still accepting additional clinics from member programs through Oct. 15, 2025. Find more information here. There currently clinics in Franklin, Pulaski and Waunakee (Girls).
The WLF has partnered with The Milwaukee Admirals to bring Youth Lacrosse Night on Saturday, November 15! The Admirals will be playing the Texas Stars. We want to see as many youth lacrosse players and their families there, as we can! Get your tickets now! Watch your inboxes for an email as well!
2.) Goal #2 – Education, Training & Development: Organize and oversee trainings for: League personnel (e.g. Commissioners, Assignors, etc.), Program administrators (e.g. Presidents, VP, Secretary, Treasurers, Fundraising, etc.), Officials/Umpires (working with WILOA & WLLOA), Coaches, Players and Parents.
- • The WLF has partnered with the Positive Coaching Alliance for many years. As the WLF became a youth-centric organization, the Board of Directors believed that it was an important partnership to continue. The WLF provided virtual pre-season PCA Workshops for statewide youth coaches and Culture Keepers and Sideline Managers this past season.
- • The WLF also partners with WILOA and now WWLOA for officials training. Virtual classroom training is open to all those training to become officials, as well as coaches wanting to expand their knowledge base. Watch for more information for 2026.
3.) Goal #3 – Wisconsin State Youth Lacrosse Tournament (WSYLT): Conduct an annual Wisconsin State Youth Lacrosse Tournament.
Mark Your Calendar: The first annual Wisconsin State Youth Lacrosse Tournament (WSYLT) is planned for Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th, 2026, at the Woodside Sports Complex in Wisconsin Dells.
Wisconsin State Youth Lacrosse Tournament (WSYLT)
Must be a WLF member program to register and participate.
Girl & Boys: U14, U12 and U10 brackets.
Divisions: (1) advanced competition level, (2) regular level (most teams would fall into this group), (3) new and lower-level programs.
Format: Saturday pool play, Sunday bracket play.
Registration: Registration fee per team, similar to other lacrosse tournaments. Start budgeting and building this registration fee into your program’s spring 2026 budget.
Hotel information and additional details will be forthcoming as the date gets closer.
Thank you for being WLF member leagues and programs. Looking forward to a fun and exciting spring 2026 lacrosse season! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Grow the game!
Thanks,
Rich Thomson
Rich Thomson
President
Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation
Rich.Thomson@wisconsinlacrosse.com
