BINGHAMTON (WBNG) – The 11th annual John Mack Southern Tier Shootout kicked off on Saturday at the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex.
It’s the largest indoor lax contest in the country. 87 teams participate, including both boys and girls, with ages ranging from eight all the way to 60-plus.
The tournament is dedicated to John Mack, the former Binghamton High School lacrosse player, who tragically lost his life back on November 30, 2006. The John Mack Foundation aims to prevent sudden cardiac death through education and access to life-saving Automated External Defibrillators – AEDs. In the last ten years, over 100 AEDs have been purchased and donated to aid local sports clubs and non-profits.
The weekend-long event also features handfuls of young lacrosse talent.
“This is what we say, ‘Get the dust off your stick,'” said tournament director Robert Mack. “Lacrosse season ends in June, and a lot of kids don’t touch their stick until this tournament. The high school lacrosse season starts on March 1st, so it really is a way to get your kids out here and see what you’ve got, and the coaches really enjoy to see what they think they’re going to have for the spring.”
SOURCE: WBNG