Dear Heat Lax Fan,
It has come to my attention that there is some confusion regarding the upcoming season as it relates to
the status of the Arizona Youth Lacrosse League and the newly formed Arizona Lacrosse League. I am
also aware that individuals from other local programs have attempted to use this confusion as a means
to lure Heat players to their clubs. This letter is an attempt to clear things up, if I miss on that attempt,
please feel free to call me.
TWO Separate Leagues:



Arizona Youth Lacrosse League (AYLL) est. 1996 / Arizona Lacrosse League (ALL) pending.
The Heat Lacrosse club is registering its JHS and Youth teams with the AYLL. We feel very strong
that the AYLL has presented a far superior model for developing younger players.
The Heat Lacrosse club will be registering its HS teams with ALL. There is not another option for
the 2012 season.
HEAT LACROSSE FACTS:
FACT: The Heat Lacrosse Club is the ONLY East Valley club to field an OFFICIAL Youth team and we were
the ONLY club in the STATE to field TWO youth teams. Other local clubs have plugged a small handful of
their players into our program--We have provided and will continue to provide a place for all kids to
play. This year we plan on fielding even more youth teams and already have many new younger players
registered. Developing a solid youth program is our #1 goal.
FACT: The Heat Lacrosse Club is one of ONLY three programs statewide to field TWO JHS teams.
Fielding two JHS teams last year allowed us to get more of our players on the field during games. This
year we hope to create even more playing equally matched playing opportunities.
FACT: The Heat Lacrosse Club is the ONLY East Valley club to return its entire coaching staff the last
several years. Most clubs have changes at the head coaching spot annually. The Heat Lacrosse Club
Coaches are invited annually by multiple organizations to participate with off season travel teams. Our
coaches took players to THREE different out of state tournaments this past summer with two different
organizations.
FACT: The Heat Lacrosse Club approached other local clubs this summer about combining forces to
provide even better lacrosse opportunities by consolidating resources—namely volunteers, field
resources, coaching, etc. The proposal was rejected. The offer remains open.
FACT: The Heat Lacrosse Club promises to remain independent of ANY league and will register our
teams based on what is in the best interest of our families and its players. Your input is always
welcome. These decisions will be made after careful consideration.
ARIONA YOUTH LACROSSE LEAGUE FACTS:
FACT: The Arizona Youth Lacrosse League’s (AYLL) former Treasurer, Jule Dionne acting on his own, has
admitted to misleading the AYLL board of directors and embezzling funds from the league. After an
internal investigation confirmed the admission, charges were filed against Mr. Dionne. At present Mr.
Dionne is making financial restitution to the AYLL. The police continue their investigation. NO OTHER
INDIVIDUALS ARE ACCUSSED IN THIS MATTER NOR DOES IT HAVE ANY RELATION TO HEAT LACROSSE.
FACT: Despite the theft, the AYLL is NOT bankrupt nor in jeopardy of collapse. To ensure its continued
operation and youth focused development, the AYLL received a sizeable donation from an individual
who wishes to remain anonymous. This donation added to the restitution payments Mr. Dionne makes
puts the AYLL in a position to operate business as usual.
FACT: The AYLL has recently adopted new provisions that allow families to choose which club they are
going to participate in—this provision applies to YOUTH and JHS clubs ONLY. The AYLL supports the
notion that parents should have the choice of where their son plays lacrosse. The AYLL feels strongly
that strict observation of boundaries puts the interest of the club over that of its players. Giving players
a choice puts pressure on a club to provide a quality learning / playing experience—which will in turn
improve the level of play. As you can imagine some programs are not happy about this development.
FACT: The AYLL has revamped its JHS / YOUTH model to focus more on the skills required to play
competitive lacrosse than winning games—The result of tweaking the model will provide MORE playing
opportunities (upwards of 20 regular season games--2 games per Saturday for 8 – 10 consecutive weeks)
without increasing costs or lengthening the season. This also means SUBSTANTIALLY less travel—no
Tucson game and it means no school night games on the other side of the valley—no school night games
period. The league’s top teams have already committed to this model and are moving forward with
planning the season. More details to follow.
Arizona Lacrosse League (ALL) FACTS:
FACT: The Arizona Lacrosse League (ALL) is a pending non-profit organization that hopes to provide an
alternative choice to the AYLL. The ALL hopes to be operational in time for the 2012 season. At present,
the steering committee for the ALL is working on getting bylaws and processes in place, all of which will
need to be adopted by the teams that may or may not choose to participate in the ALL. The ALL plans to
conduct a statewide election for officers soon. . .I am not aware of the timetable.
FACT: The ALL supports strict boundaries for youth / JHS and HS clubs.
FACT: ALL “Founders” have limited experience managing a league at ANY Level—YOUTH, JHS or HS.
FACT: Preparations for tournaments, such as the Cactus Cup or Youth Jamborees starts a year in
advance with field reservations, etc. Starting in the late fall puts the ALL at a serious disadvantage.
FACT: The Heat, Desert Vista, Brophy and Chaparral were not initially invited to participate in the ALL. It
wasn’t until club representatives from other teams protested that the ALL agreed to “allow” every team
to participate if they so elected to do so.
As always, please feel free to call or email with questions.
Sincerely,
Geoff Larsen