June 26, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. - Two of the nation's top NCAA lacrosse programs - the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the Brown University Bears - will face off in the inaugural San Francisco Fall Lacrosse Classic, scheduled for Kezar Stadium at 3 pm on October 10, 2009.

Ranked 6th and 11th nationally, UNC and Brown's historic clash at the San Francisco Fall Lacrosse Classic will mark the first time that two NCAA Division I men's teams have ever met head-to-head in Northern California.

"That two elite lacrosse programs are traveling across the country to play each other speaks volumes about the growth of lacrosse in California," said Braden Edwards, event organizer and two-time All-American lacrosse player at Gettysburg College.

Lacrosse has been the fastest growing high school and college sport over the past ten years, and there are now more than 10,000 youth lacrosse players in California, an increase of over 200% since 2001.

"Playing North Carolina this fall provides a tremendous opportunity to showcase the Brown program and the sport of lacrosse in Northern California", said Brown head coach Lars Tiffany.

Prior to the start of the competition, free youth clinics will be held for kids 4th - 8th grade, featuring players from the participating teams; and a free coaches clinic will be held for local youth and high school coaches with the coaching staffs from Brown and North Carolina.

"Being selected to participate in the inaugural event is quite an honor. My team and staff cannot wait to get to the San Francisco Bay area in October to face-off against Brown and participate in helping grow the sport in the area", continued North Carolina head coach Joe Breschi.

100% of the proceeds from the event will go directly to the BAYS Foundation.

ABOUT BAY AREA YOUTH SPORTS FOUNDATION - The BAYS Foundation works to strengthen programs and organizations that provide opportunities and increase access for low-income youth in the Bay Area to participate in organized sports in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. www.sfbays.org.

For additional information on the San Francisco Fall Lacrosse Classic, please contact Erik Whiteford or visit www.sflacrosse.com. Tickets are currently available for purchase at www.sflacrosse.com/tickets.html.