Cal Ripken Will Deliver Keynote at 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention

Baltimore is known for three things: crabs, lacrosse and Cal Ripken. Attendees of the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention will get to experience at least two out of three of those things first-hand. Cal Ripken, a Baltimore-area native and youth sports trailblazer, will be the keynote speaker for the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention, sponsored by adidas. The convention will be held in Baltimore, Md. at the Baltimore Convention Center, January 16-18, 2009. The annual convention is the largest educational and networking opportunity for lacrosse coaches and officials in the world.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak at the US Lacrosse National Convention. Lacrosse has become such a significant sport throughout the country and we Marylanders know how big it has become in our state. It seems very fitting that the sport's national convention will take place right here in Baltimore and I look forward to meeting the people that have helped it grow at such an exciting rate."

"US Lacrosse is truly excited to welcome Cal Ripken as the keynote speaker for our convention," said Sarah Oglesby, director of special events at US Lacrosse, the Baltimore-based national governing body of the sport. "His philosophy of working hard, playing with passion and sharing his game has made a tremendous impact on sports fans everywhere. Cal's message will certainly resonate with lacrosse coaches and officials who work tirelessly to grow the sport of lacrosse from the grassroots."

Ripken's work with youth baseball has broken the mold for leagues and programs world-wide. He has defined the structure and importance of youth sports at the grassroots level by using the platform of baseball. Presently, over 700,000 youths (5-12 year olds) play Cal Ripken Baseball worldwide.

Over the years Ripken has become a best-selling author. His past works include The Only Way I Know, an autobiography; Play Baseball The Ripken Way, an instructional book for parents and coaches; Parenting Young Athletes The Ripken Way, a guide for parents to help them keep sports fun for their kids; and his two latest works: Get in the Game, Eight Elements of Perseverance that Make the Difference, his first foray into the self help/business world; and The Longest Season, a children's book that teaches kids how to learn from difficult experiences.

Cal Ripken will address the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention on Friday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Over 5,000 coaches, officials and lacrosse enthusiasts are expected to descend on Baltimore in January. Registration for the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention will be open on US Lacrosse's website, www.uslacrosse.org, on Monday, September 15. Those who register before October 15 will get an early bird discount of 35-percent off the regular on-site registration fee of $100. Convention goers can also connect with other attendees on US Lacrosse's Convention Community site before and after the event.

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse. US Lacrosse has more than 250,000 members in 60 regional chapters around the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. To learn more about US Lacrosse, please visit www.uslacrosse.org.