The Vail Lacrosse Shootout returns for its 36th edition in 2008, running from Saturday, June 28 – Sunday, July 6. As the premiere club tournament in the United States, Vail is home to some of the very best lacrosse in the world and will play host to over 60 men’s teams and 30 women’s teams in what has become a pilgrimage for any true lacrosse fan.

The Vail Shootout started in Aspen in 1973 and was founded by Flip Naumburg and Jim Soran. After making its permanent move to Vail in 1979, the tournament has enjoyed steady growth and become a fixture on the lacrosse landscape. More than just a lacrosse tournament, the Shootout is almost a spiritual gathering. It has become a place for lacrosse “people” of all ages to come together and celebrate their sport in a tribal manner, much in the same way their Native American forefathers did.

With players competing in seven different divisions, the Vail Shootout has enough lacrosse to satiate any fan’s appetite. The Men’s Elite division is the headliner, taking place from July 3rd – July 6th and coinciding with the Women’s Elite tournament. Preceding the Elite Divisions, Men’s Masters, Supermasters and Grandmasters kick off “8 Days at 8,000 Feet” on June 28th. The Boys and Girls High School Divisions take the field on June 29th.

Over the years, some of the world’s best lacrosse players have played in the Vail Shootout. Gary and Paul Gait (Syracuse), Jen Adams (Maryland), Casey, Ryan and Mike Powell (Syracuse), Kyle Harrison (Johns Hopkins) and Michele DeJuliis (Penn State), some of the most recognized names in the sport, have all graced the Vail Valley at some point in their lacrosse careers.

With a newly created pool play element to the Men’s Elite division, look for this year’s Shootout to be extremely competitive from start to finish.
————————————————————————————————————

2008 Schedule of Events

Men’s Supermasters (ages 40 +): June 28 – July 1

Men’s Grandmasters (50 +): June 28 – June 30

Dr. Tom Watts Memorial Boy’s U-19:
June 29 – Pool Play
June 30 – July 2nd – Tournament Play

Girl’s U-19
June 29 and June 30 – Pool Play
July 1 and July 2 – Tournament Play

Chumash 3-on-3 Youth Tournament: June 28, June 29 and July 5
Contact Nickie Soran at (303) 257-7196 for registration and other information

Men’s Masters (ages 33 +): June 28 – June 30

Men’s Elite:
July 3 – Pool Play
July 4 – July 6 – Tournament Play

Women’s Elite:
July 3 and July 4 – Pool Play
July 5 and July 6 – Tournament Play

For schedules detailing teams and fields, please visit www.vaillacrosse.com.

**Men’s and Women’s Elite championship games will be held July 6 at Ford Field**
————————————————————————————————————

What’s New for Vail 2008?

Just because Vail is one of the longest running tournaments in all of lacrosse does not mean that it has stopped being progressive. Several new features have been added to the 2008 version to ensure that it continues to be on the cutting edge.

The first and most noteworthy is the addition of pool play in the Men’s Elite division for the first time. After several years of mis-seeding teams in the tournament draw, the consensus this year was to make an attempt to give all teams a fair shake at the coveted “Championship Bracket.” Pool play in the Men’s Elite will take place on Thursday, July 3. The top two teams from each of the four pools will move on to the top half of the tournament draw while the remainder of the teams will play in the Consolation Bracket.

Next, the Chumash tournament will take a step forward in 2008 as well. With games on two weekends, instead of one, this youth favorite will continue to expand. Chumash is a form of lacrosse created by Vail co-founder Flip Naumburg that allows for a “portable” lacrosse game to break out wherever you might be. With no goalies and a long, skinny goal that two teams of three players each attack, it is similar to half-court basketball and is a great way to teach younger players the game. The Chumash tournament is a friendly, non-competitive event that will take place on both weekends of the tournament. Dates are June 28 and 29 as well as July 5. Contact Nickie Soran at (303) 257-7196 for more information and to register your team or player.

More Details Here!