The 2011 NILAX season was a huge success. Arlington Heights, Aurora, Cary Grove, Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, Downers Grove , Dundee Crown, Glenbard Lax, Huntley, Jacobs, Johnsburg-Marian Central, Prairie Ridge, and North Shore all participated in the third NILAX season. Teams competed in both JV and Varsity divisions in a league designed after the IHSLA. The varsity season culminated in the Championship game at Aurora University. The champion, Jacobs, was the third different varsity champion in the three years of NILAX. The JV tournament at Sunset  Park in Lake in the Hills attracted 10 teams and was a great way to end the season for many teams.  The All Star Game at Huntley High School showcased the top players in the league in front of as great crowd that included some college coaches. The level of play in 2011 was the highest yet and several  of the programs have become quite strong in levels of participation and skill. Since 2009 NILAX has gotten better every year and has provided hundreds of players the opportunity to compete in a highly organized league and allowed the programs to continue to grow at their own pace.

This year we hope to expand beyond the teams from 2011 and unify the unaffiliated club teams into one league, as well as offer a place to play for those kids who may not have made the cuts for their varsity or junior varsity teams. We will then crown a champion at the varsity level and give players from all levels the same experience the players in the IHSLA get. The mission of the league is to organize the club teams and let them operate independently, create standardized league rules, create a league structure with meetings, centralized scheduling, playoffs, website, All League Team, All Star Game and form a link to the IHSLA and the rest of the Illinois high school lacrosse community. The league will also help prepare and assist these teams as they approach their school for formal recognition and give the kids, who may not have had the chance to play, an opportunity to get better and to potentially make the team in the upcoming years.

Lacrosse America has been running lacrosse leagues since 1991. We have extensive experience in all aspects of running lacrosse leagues. Rich Martin, the president of the IHSLA, will manage the league with the help of Chad Gruen, President of Lacrosse America. The league will make all the resources of Lacrosse America available to all members of the league.

We are excited to have you and to get the 2012 NILAX league underway! See you out on the field!

Interested in playingIf you are interested in playing, but do NOT have a team to play on, that is fine NILAX is set up to include all individual players who may not have a team. Please register through the NILAX website. Once NILAX has received and processed your information, you will get a confirmation email, followed by team placement, coach information and your team’s practice/game schedule. You will automatically be added to your coach’s roster and he will be in touch with you as well. New TeamsIf you are interested in forming a team, please contact us at NILAX@lacrosseamerica.com with you school’s name, location, and your (the coach) contact information. We will then contact you with further information on how, when and where to register.