Dear Members,
The recent tribute to Coach Liam Gleason was a phenomenal reflection of our “Coaches Helping Coaches” mantra. Last week, the IMLCA distributed 2,000 LG pins to our member coaches. The resulting photos and social media posts emphasized everything Coach Gleason stood for as a man, father, husband, and coach. Thank you to everyone who participated.
The impact of this tribute was significant:
– Impressions/Views: 1.17 Million (76.2% from a new audience)
– Interactions: 41,066 (Likes, reposts, comments)
– Clicks to www.donatelife.net: 2,921
Coach Gleason was a dedicated supporter of organ donation. While we cannot track the exact number of new donor registrations, we should all be proud of our collective effort to raise awareness for this vital cause.
As the season gets underway, our mentor programs are also in full swing. The mentorship program, organized by Coach Ryan Wellner, now includes 29 groups comprised of 183 member coaches. Our Legacy Builder program is in its second year, with registration remarkably exceeding last year.
In board news, the election results are in:
– Coach David Webster has been re-elected as the DIII Representative for a three-year term.
– Jim Murphy has been elected as the DII Vice-President for a three-year term.
We are also proud to announce a 2025 pilot collaboration with the Soldiers to Sidelines organization. This partnership supports veteran transition into coaching, large-scale coach development, and the growth of our sport through leadership and service. This pilot will allow both organizations to evaluate a long-term partnership for 2026 and beyond.The volunteer coaches’ class action settlement has been approved by the court and the claims filing period is open. If you think you might qualify as a member of the class, email Bob Ekstrand (rce@ninthstreetlaw.com) for guidance. The class includes volunteer coaches who, at any point from March 17, 2019, to June 20, 2023, worked for an NCAA Division I athletic program (except for baseball).
Finally, our staff is busy planning the Summer Players Summit, finalizing details from our winter events, and preparing for next year. A primary priority for the Board of Directors is growing our association through increased participation. Please continue to share any ideas regarding our mission and strategic priorities with your conference and divisional representatives.
The IMLCA continues to move forward because of your membership and engagement.
Good luck to all this season!
Best regards,
J.B. Clarke
IMLCA Executive Director
University of Tampa Head Lacrosse Coach
