Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/20/20
From Press Release
Athletes Unlimited today announced its third pro sports league will be women’s lacrosse. The new league – which will include four Philly natives in its first groups – will be played from July 19-August 22 following the 2021 World Cup at a site to be determined.
Already committed are Michelle Tumolo (Clearview Regional), Emily Garrity Parros (Strath Haven), Katrina Geiger (Haverford High) and Haley Warden (Garnet Valley).
Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse will play a short form, fast paced format consisting of eight-minute quarters, 9-v-9 gameplay and a 60-second shot clock all housed on an 80-yard x 50-yard playing field. Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse will be comprised of 56 players that will roster four teams of 14 players each. Play will begin with draws at the beginning of each quarter as well as after every goal.
Twenty-two athletes are confirmed to play:
NAME POS COLLEGE
Kayla Treanor A Syracuse
Michelle Tumolo (Clearview Regional) A Syracuse
Meg Douty D Maryland
Emily Parros (Strath Haven) M North Carolina
Caylee Waters G North Carolina
Amanda Johansen M USC
Haley Warden (Garnet Valley) M James Madison
Sammy Jo Tracy M North Carolina
Amber McKenzie D North Carolina
Katie Hertsch D Hofstra
Cortney Fortunato A Notre Dame
Katrina Geiger (Haverford High) M Loyola
Halle Majorana A Syracuse
Taylor Hensh A Maryland
Sarah Brown D Colorado
Brittany Read G Oregon
Lindsey Ronbeck A Florida
Charlotte Sofield D North Carolina
Taylor Van Thof M Loyola
Britt Brown G Penn
Molly Wolf G Loyola
Mira Shane G Michigan
In addition, former CEO and Founder of the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League Michele Dejuliis (founder of Ultimate Lacrosse) will also join Athletes Unlimited as a Senior Director of Lacrosse to help run the league. Dejuliis was a former four-time All-American lacrosse player at Penn State, is a member of the US Lacrosse National Hall of Fame and won a World Championships as captain of the US National Team in 2009.
“We are thrilled lacrosse has been selected as the third pro sports league for Athletes Unlimited,” said Clearview Regional (N.J.) alum Michelle Tumolo, player and member of the Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse Player Executive Committee. “We look forward to competing and showcasing our skills for fans of Athletes Unlimited around the world.”
“Women’s lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States and incredibly popular among young players and fans,” said Jon Patricof, CEO and Co-Founder of Athletes Unlimited. “Our leagues are all about excitement, storytelling and fan engagement so lacrosse is the perfect addition to our network of pro sports leagues which already includes softball and indoor volleyball.”
Athletes Unlimited leagues will feature a range of innovations to bring athletes and fans a unique and intense version of the sport. Individual athletes earn points based on team wins and individual performance and become the champions in team sports. Points can be earned on every play and the leaderboard changes constantly. Teams will change each week, with the top four athletes in the standings serving as captains and drafting their teams.
Athletes Unlimited successfully completed its inaugural softball league in Rosemont, IL, on September 29 and is set to start its inaugural pro indoor volleyball league in February, 2021 in Nashville, TN. In addition to an innovative new approach to sports, Athletes Unlimited will also offer professional development resources to help players expand their career opportunities, as well as engage in civic leadership initiatives that include supporting a number of non-profit partners through the Athletes Causes program.
Athletes Unlimited was co-founded by Jon Patricof and Jonathan Soros and is supported by its Advisory Board of high-profile contributors from sports, business and entertainment. Members include U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team icon Abby Wambach; two-time NBA champion and entrepreneur Kevin Durant; Grand Slam champion and former world number one tennis star Caroline Wozniacki; ESPN broadcaster and four-time first-team AllAmerican softball standout Jessica Mendoza; two-time Olympic medalist and captain of the USA Women’s National Volleyball team Jordan Larson; Thirty Five Ventures co-founder Rich Kleiman; USA Volleyball Women’s National Team head coach Karch Kiraly; International Olympic Committee member and four-time hockey Olympian Angela Ruggiero; Bleacher Report journalist Taylor Rooks and former player and past President of the United States Tennis Association Katrina Adams.
