June 26, 2008

from staff reports

The Vail Lacrosse Shootout returns for its 36th edition in 2008, running from Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, July 6. As the premier club tournament in the country, Vail is home to some of the very best lacrosse in the world and will play host to over 60 men's teams and 30 women's teams in what has become a pilgrimage for any true lacrosse fan.

The Vail Shootout started in Aspen in 1973 and was founded by Flip Naumburg and Jim Soran. After making its permanent move to Vail in 1979, the tournament has enjoyed steady growth and become a fixture on the lacrosse landscape. More than just a lacrosse tournament, the Shootout is almost a spiritual gathering. It has become a place for lacrosse "people" of all ages to come together and celebrate their sport in a tribal manner, much in the same way their Native American forefathers did.

Vail's seven different divisions are enough to sate any lacrosse fan's appetite. The Men's Elite division is the headliner, taking place from July 3-6 and coinciding with the Women's Elite tournament. Preceding the Elite Divisions, Men's Masters, Supermasters and Grandmasters kick off "Eight Days at 8,000 Feet" on June 28. The Boy's and Girl's High School Divisions take the field on June 29.

With a newly created pool play element to the Men's Elite division this year's Shootout to be extremely competitive from start to finish.

Men's Supermasters (ages 40 +): June 28 - July 1

Men's Grandmasters (50 +): June 28 - June 30

Dr. Tom Watts Memorial Boy's U-19:
June 29: Pool Play
June 30: July 2nd - Tournament Play

Girl's U-19
June 29-30: Pool Play
July 1-2: Tournament Play

Chumash 3-on-3 Youth Tournament: June 28-29 and July 5


Men's Masters (ages 33 +): June 28-30

Men's Elite: July 3: Pool Play July 4-6: Tournament Play

Women's Elite:
July 3-4: Pool Play
July 5-6: Tournament Play

**Men's and Women's Elite championship games will be held July 6 at Ford Field**