School Lacrosse State Championships Coming to Palm Beach

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) will partner with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission (PBCSC) and Jupiter Community High School to hold the Florida High School Lacrosse State Championships at Velocity Community Credit Union Stadium on the campus of Jupiter High School on April 29-30, 2016 and April 28-29, 2017. This event represents the inaugural FHSAA State Championship to take place in the Palm Beaches.

Each spring, approximately 175 senior high schools across Florida compete in the FHSAA Boys and Girls Lacrosse Series (Districts, State Play-ins, and State Championships) for the right to be proclaimed FHSAA State Champions. Four (4) boy’s teams and four (4) girl’s teams will qualify for the state championships by making it through Districts, and then three (3) additional rounds of “play-in games.”

In 2016, the FHSAA Lacrosse State Championships will consist of four (4) semi-final games on Friday, April 29 which include 2 games in the girls’ division and 2 games in the boys’ division. On Saturday, April 30, this event will feature its championship games for both genders. Bright House Sports Network will be broadcasting the championship games and streaming them online at http://www.bhsnlive.com/.

Palm Beach County will attract the best of Florida’s high school lacrosse teams and athletes in addition to thousands of lacrosse enthusiasts. In addition to crowning state champions for the first time in the Palm Beaches, the FHSAA Lacrosse State Championships will provide a substantial economic and tourism impact.

Each year the FHSAA sponsors over 3,600 post-season championship contests through which 141 teams and 294 individuals are determined and crowned state champions in 32 qualifying sports (16 boys and 16 girls). Over 2,000 student athletes annually gain the experience of winning a state championship. Through participation in these athletic programs, nearly 800,000 students annually are extended opportunities to receive lessons in the Association’s core values: leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship.

“The Palm Beach County Sports Commission has ample experience hosting large-scale events and have always displayed professionalism while running successful events as a host,” said FHSAA Executive Director Dr. Roger Dearing. “The student-athletes competing in this event will enjoy the experience thanks to the dedication of the staff along with the administration and volunteers from Jupiter High School.”

“The Florida High School Athletic Association Lacrosse State Championships debut in Palm Beach County will be a momentous occasion for our destination, said Palm Beach County Sports Commission Executive Director George Linley., “We are excited and honored to partner with our friends at Jupiter Community High School to host this event at Velocity Community Credit Union Stadium, which offers one of the premier stadium environments in the Palm Beaches.,, Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in Florida from a participation perspective. Hosting the FHSAA Lacrosse State Championships will transform the Palm Beaches into the pinnacle of high school lacrosse and become a catalyst to bring more FHSAA State Championships to our community.”

For more information, visit the Florida High School Athletic Association website.