BURLINGTON, Vt. - The University of Vermont men's lacrosse program is set to host the second annual Catamount Classic - Lacrosse For a Cure this Sunday, October 11, 2009 at Thayer Academy in Baintree, Massachusetts. The 11-team tournament will raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. This year's tournament field includes: Adelphi, Albany, Bentley, Colgate, Holy Cross, Le Moyne, Massachusetts, Robert Morris, Siena, Western New England and Vermont.

The gates will open at 10 a.m. and the games will end at 4:00 p.m. Each team will play at least three games throughout the day, on all four of Thayer Academy's off-campus turf fields. Each game will have two 25-minute halves. All proceeds from the event will go to cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In its first year, the Catamount Classic raised nearly $20,000 in 2008.

"We could not be more excited about this year's event," Vermont head coach Ryan Curtis said. "Last year, being a first time event, we really did not know how it would go. The response was great and so far this year it has been even better. We will again offer a chance for college lacrosse fans to watch great lacrosse here in New England while educating young men about this disease."

This year's Catamount Classic vendors and merchants include: Adrenaline Lacrosse, The New England Lacrosse Journal, the Boston Cannons, The Boston Blazers, Atlantic Sportswear, Brine, Warrior Lacrosse, Maverik, GB Web Creations, Tennessee's Real BBQ and more. Many of the vendors have also sponsored the event. Other sponsors include Powerade, Thayer Academy, Direct Invest, U Rent It, The UPS Store, The Hampton Inn, Sheraton Hotels, Fallon Ambulance, SportSprite.com, Squirrelcat Design Face Painting, US Lacrosse, America East and Vocalist Wise Rokobili.

In 2007, a member of the University of Vermont men's lacrosse team was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The player had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and was able to start for the lacrosse team that spring. Although he was treated in Vermont, the player followed a treatment plan from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and with incredible strength and determination is in full remission. After seeing how this disease can affect someone and those who care about them, the University of Vermont Men's Lacrosse Team was determined to help educate other student athletes about this disease.

University of Vermont head men's lacrosse coach Ryan Curtis and his wife Kelly started the Catamount Classic - Lacrosse For A Cure in 2008. Ryan and Kelly previously lived in Boston, Massachusetts, before moving to Vermont. While living in Boston, Kelly worked at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Genitourinary Oncology. She has planned, and has attended, numerous cancer walks and events. Together with the help of the men's lacrosse team they found a way to raise awareness for testicular cancer while creating the premiere fall lacrosse event for New England college lacrosse fans and teams.

Please visit www.catamountclassic.com for more information.

2009-10-09