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News Release

UMBC Men's Lacrosse to Partcipate in 2009 International Friendship Games in Japan, June 11-21

6/10/2009

Baltimore, Md.—The UMBC men’s lacrosse team will participate in the 2009 International Friendship Games as part of a 11-day journey to Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan. All players and coaches from the 2009 Retriever squad will depart Baltimore on Thurs., June 11 and take part in the 20^th anniversary of this event.

“We have a great relationship with the Japan Lacrosse Association,” UMBC Head Coach Don Zimmerman said. “This past fall they sent a team over here and after the game we had a tailgate for them. One of the principle ideas of the JLA is ‘Lacrosse Makes Friends.’ We understand that and give them the opportunity not only to play, but to socialize. As a result, they are always excited for UMBC to come over and participate in this event.”

Head Coach Don Zimmerman began his association with the Japan Lacrosse Association in 1987, when he held the first-ever lacrosse camp in Japan. In 1989, Johns Hopkins University and the Australian national team were invited to Japan and the first International Lacrosse Friendship Games were held at the Komazawa Olympic Stadium.

UMBC will compete against the U-20 Toyko squad and the Japan National squad on Sat., June 13, before facing the U-22 Japan National Squad in Edogawa Stadium in an International Friendship Game on Sun., June 14. The team will play against two collegiate teams on Tuesday, June 16 before  heading to Nagoya the following day.

The squad is scheduled to tour the Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Motor Corporation on Thursday, June 18 and will take part in a clinic on Friday. Then, UMBC will compete in the second International Friendship game against the Nagoya Regional squad on Sat., June 20 before returning to Baltimore on Sunday.

“For the seniors, what a great way to enter the real world,” said Alex Hopmann.

The 2005 UMBC team participated in the games and the Retrievers defeated the Japanese National squad, 11-8 at Edogawa Stadium. Drew Westervelt was named the Most Valuable Player in the game, but it was the entire experience that stood out for the members of that squad.

UMBC All-American and current Chicago Machine midfielder Terry Kimener said at the time, “The Japan trip was the best trip I have ever taken. The Japanese people were extremely nice and treated us like celebrities. If I had the chance to go back, I would in a heartbeat.”

“The Japan trip was a very memorable experience,” said Brendan Mundorf, another Retriever All-American and Major League Lacrosse All-Star with the Denver Outlaws. “I thought we gave the sport of lacrosse a chance to expand through the country of Japan when we played in the international games.”

The Retriever women’s lacrosse team visited Japan in the summer of 2008.

Fans can follow the team throughout the journey by logging onto www.umbcretrievers.com and going to “The Dawg Blog.” Several players will be submitting entries during the trip.