 | This article needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(August 2019) |
| Sport | lacrosse |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 (2015) |
| First season | 2016 |
| Ceased | c. 2018 (2018) |
| Replaced by | Women's Professional Lacrosse League |
| Owner | United Women's Sports |
| Commissioner | Kristan Ash (2016–2018) Michele DeJuliis (2015–2016) |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Last champion | Philadelphia Force |
| Most titles | Long Island Sound (2 titles) |
| Sponsors | STX Nike |
| Official website | unitedwomenslacrosse.com |
TheUnited Women’s Lacrosse League (UWLX) was awomen's lacrosse league in theUnited States. It was co-founded inBoston, Massachusetts, byDigit Murphy andAronda Kirby of the Play It Forward Sports Foundation, under the ownership ofUnited Women's Sports LLC in a strategic partnership withSTX.[1]Penn State women's lacrosse alum and formerUnited States national team playerMichele DeJuliis was appointed as the league’s first commissioner.[2] DeJuliis left after the 2016 season to found theWomen's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL); Kristan Ash served as the second and final league commissioner.[3]
The league comprised four teams: theBaltimore Ride,Boston Storm,Long Island Sound andPhiladelphia Force. Long Island won the first two championships and Philadelphia won the third and final championship.[4]
UWLX was the first opportunity in the form of a nationally competitive league afforded to women looking to continue playing lacrosse after their collegiate playing days conclude. Among the league's efforts, its inaugural season has allowed for over 100 opportunities for women in post-collegiate sport play in lacrosse.
“Our Play It Forward platform was started to grow opportunities for women in professional sports,” and the inaugural season features games that will be played at or in close proximity to major lacrosse tournaments in the Northeast, allowing the league to connect with and inspire younger players.[1]
During the month of March 2016, the league unveiled the club names and logos, while also announcing the hiring of head coaches. The first four head coaches in league history includeJen Adams (Baltimore), Amy Patton (Boston), Missy Doherty (Philadelphia), and Shannon Smith (Long Island).[5]
In late November 2016, it was announced that UWLX engaged in a partnership withGillette Stadium which would see the league serve as a promotional partner of the 2017 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship. The event was held on Memorial Day Weekend 2017.
League play started on May 28, 2016 and a draft took place on April 13 to fill the four team rosters. In the inaugural draft, Maryland Terrapins alumnus and former US national team playerKatie Schwarzmann would be the first player ever selected, taken by the Baltimore Ride with the top pick.[6] Other players selected in the first round of the inaugural draft were also current or former members of the US national team. Said players includedLiz Hogan (Boston),Michelle Tumolo (Philly), andDevon Wills (Long Island). The inaugural regular season champions were the Long Island Sound, while Dana Dobbie captured the scoring title.
The four teams in the UWLX do not have their own home venues. Instead, all teams travel to large youth lacrosse tournaments to participate in regular season play. During the inaugural season, it was announced that the construction of a new sports complex in Attleboro, Massachusetts, known as the New England Sports Village, would serve as the eventual headquarters for UWLX.[7]
The league also believes in having a positive impact in the female sporting community. Of note, players in UWLX conduct lacrosse clinics for young players. In addition, the league has partnered withJazmine Smith, the founder and CEO of Eyekonz, which provides sporting opportunities for African American girls in Philadelphia through participation in field hockey and lacrosse.[8] Smith brought theStrawberry Mansion High School girls’ lacrosse team to the inaugural UWLX weekend at Lehigh University.
| Club | Metro area | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ride | Baltimore | Jen Adams |
| Boston Storm | Boston | Abbey Capobianco |
| Long Island Sound | New York | Shannon Smith |
| Philadelphia Force | Philadelphia | Mike Bedford |
| General Manager | Term |
|---|---|
| Michele DeJuliis | 2015–2016 |
| Gary Gait | 2017, Interim[9] |
| Kristan Ash | 2017 |
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