Press release. UDM and Michigan weekend previews forthcoming.
EAST LANSING – The first Oxford Collegiate Lacrosse Challenge, which is set for Saturday, March 30, 2013 and played at Wildcat Stadium at Oxford High School features top college lacrosse talent on both sides of the gender aisle, while benefiting the local Alzheimer’s Research organizations. The event will feature women’s squads from Michigan State, Western Michigan, Central Michigan and the University of Toledo, while the Michigan State men’s’ team will host the No. 2 ranked club collegiate lacrosse team from western Canada, Simon Fraser.
The Oxford High School Lacrosse varsity boys and girls lacrosse teams will host the lacrosse challenge. “We are really excited to bring top flight lacrosse action to northern Oakland County and I think those who attend will certainly enjoy the day,” said Greg Normand, Michigan State’s head women’s lacrosse coach. “You rarely see men and women playing on the same field in the same day. It’s a great opportunity to see some really good players.”
Organizers said the event would benefit the Oxford High School Blue Turf Project and the Oakland County Alzheimer’s Foundation. Players and fans will be donating to the worthy projects, Normand said.
“We’re not asking a ton, we’re just encouraging each player to drop a couple of dollars in the jar to assist with some really serious causes,” Normand said. “The Alzheimer’s Foundation was added to the event as a benefactor after the fifth annual Battagaway Prep Lacrosse Invitational was canceled Saturday, March 16 because of weather.”
Normand said the Oxford men’s and women’s lacrosse programs donated more than $2,500 last year to the foundation and didn’t want to miss assisting this year and found another opportunity to work for a local charity.
“This is just another chance for us to help those less fortunate…and you know the saying about one door closing and another opening,” he said.
The action gets underway at 9:15 am when Michigan State entertains Western Michigan and the day ends with the Spartan men battling with Simon Fraser.
9 am – Western Michigan v Michigan State Women
10:30 am – Western Michigan v Toledo
12:00 pm – Central Michigan v Michigan State Women
1:30 pm – Central Michigan v Toledo
3:00 pm – Toledo v Michigan State Women
4:30 pm – Simon Fraser v Michigan State Men
Oxford High School – Saturday, March 30, 2013