Lacrosse for Everyone
Formerly known as:
Bethesda Lacrosse 1998-2003
Rosemary Hills Lacrosse 2000-2019
Montgomery Country Lacrosse has a diversity problem.
MOCO LACROSSE is trying to change that.
Our Mission
MOCO Lacrosse, in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Recreation, introduces lacrosse to students from under-served communities who might not otherwise have the opportunity to try the sport.
Our History
Since 1998, Jeff Wagner, a Montgomery County resident and former three-time All-Ivy League player at Brown University, has been working to expand the reach of lacrosse in Montgomery County. While lacrosse has been a varsity sport in the County’s public schools since 1998, access to the sport has been limited in the less affluent communities. Significant barriers to starting the sport include high equipment costs and lack of lacrosse programs for younger kids.
Our Founder
Work Experience
Wagner Communications, Bethesda, Md. Jan 2005 - Present
Full Service Advertising Agency
Clients include:
CareFirst, Honest Tea, Toyota, Force3, Lexus, Ferris Baker Watts, Valley National Bank, Univ of Md Medical Systems, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Robert W. Baird, The Nysmith School, Constellation Energy, Citrix, Coleman Automotive, Celebree Learning Centers, Affiliated Distributors
Comcast SportsNet/Home Team Sports, Bethesda, Md. Oct 1983 – Jan 2005
Vice President / General Sales Manager 1989 - 2005
Director of Marketing, Affiliate Relations, and Sales 1983 - 1989
Network’s first employee. Created and implemented original marketing and sales efforts. Grew annual ad sales from $0 to over $20 million. Managed network’s sales and traffic professionals in Baltimore and Bethesda offices, plus two national rep firms for broadcast and cable ad sales.
Team America Soccer, Washington DC Mar 1983 - Oct 1983
Vice President of Marketing and Sales for U.S. National Soccer Team
ProServ, Inc., Washington DC 1980 - 1983
Director of Marketing for international sports marketing firm
Ogilvy & Mather, Inc., New York NY Summer 1979
Assistant Account Executive - Hershey Chocolate account
W.H. Brine Co., Needham MA 1975 - 1978
Vice President /Sales Manager for soccer and lacrosse equipment manufacturer
Harvard University, Cambridge MA 1974 -1977
Varsity Lacrosse Assistant Coach
Free Lance Photographer, 1974 - 1980
Published sports photographs in over a dozen books and magazines
Boston Bolts Professional Lacrosse, Boston MA 1974 - 1975
Assistant General Manager
North American Van Lines, 1973 - 1974
Owner/Operator of 18-wheel tractor-trailer in US and Canada
Education
Wharton Business School-- MBA Degree 1980
Brown University -- BA Degree 1973
Political Science and International Affairs
Lacrosse Honors:
Brown University Sports Hall of Fame
Three-time All Ivy League
Three- time All New England
North-South All-Star Game 1973
Set two Ivy League Records
Elected Captain 1973 Undefeated Ivy League Champions
Community Involvement
College Tracks-Board Member- Helps low income students get to college.
Rosemary Hills Lacrosse -Founder and Manager - instructional program for underserved Black and Hispanic Silver Spring youth.
Bethesda Lacrosse Club -Founder - lacrosse league for middle school girls.
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Our Programs
Our programs are designed to introduce lacrosse by teaching our students basic skills.
Our summer camps introduce lacrosse by teaching basic skills in a fun environment. Each summer over 100 boys and girls, ages 7-12 years old, pick up a stick with a small net at the end of it and begin tossing a lacrosse ball -- many for the first time. The program, which runs from June thru August, is currently available in two Silver Spring, MD community recreation centers:
- White Oak Community Center
- Gwendolyn Coffield Community Center
Our summer camp staff is comprised of local high school varsity lacrosse players who serve as teachers & counselors. Our goal is to expand our summer camp program to additional Montgomery County community centers.
We launched our After School Program with Montgomery County Department of Recreation in 2021. MOCO Lacrosse runs during the school year, serving Middle School boys and girls in the Recreation Department’s after school programs. Local high school coaches and their varsity lacrosse players serve as instructors. The program started in two Silver Spring middle schools. MOCO Lacrosse hopes to expand to 20+ additional Elementary and Middle Schools.
- Loiderman Middle School
- White Oak Middle School
News and Press
Washington Post
Lacrosse has a diversity problem in Montgomery County. This after-school program is looking to change that.
“OFFICIAL LAX GIRL” TARI KANDEMIRI RETURNS TO WHITE OAK
Fox 5 News Clip
Montgomery County commits to promoting participation in girls athletics
The Examiner
The Maryland lacrosse program gives underprivileged youth the opportunity to play the sport.
Bethesda Magazine
Jeff Wagner's summer programs have taught basic skills to kids from lower income neighborhoods.