Stevenson University’s Paul Cantabene, Tim Puls Named Speakers at US Lacrosse National Convention
BALTIMORE, Dec. 3, 2012 — US Lacrosse has named Stevenson University men’s lacrosse head coach Paul Cantabene and assistant coach Tim Puls as speakers at the US Lacrosse National Convention, presented by Champion. They will join roughly 150 of the sport’s best coaches, officials and administrators as presenters at the lacrosse world’s largest professional development event Jan. 11-13, 2013, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
“US Lacrosse continues to focus on improving the quality of the lacrosse experience for all, and bringing to the convention many of the sport’s leaders in coaching and officiating to share their knowledge with colleagues at the youth and high school levels supports that focus,” said Beth Porreca, director of special events at US Lacrosse. “Coach Cantabene and Coach Puls have distinguished records in lacrosse, and we’re excited to have them speak at our convention.”
Cantabene, who retired from a six-year Major League Lacrosse playing career as the league’s all-time faceoff wins leader and is widely regarded as one of the sport’s best ever at that position, will host a faceoff clinic at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 12. The program’s winningest coach in both wins and percentage, Cantabene boasts a 115-35 career record in eight seasons at Stevenson. He earned his 100th career win on March 3, 2012, becoming the second-fastest in NCAA Division III history to reach 100 wins. During that time, the Mustangs have made four consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the national semifinals three times. The team also won a CAC title in 2010, has been ranked at No. 1 in three of the last four seasons and has garnered 35 All-America selections since 2008.
Puls, a 30-year coaching veteran, will host “Defensive Techniques to Win Championships” at 9 a.m. Jan. 13. His presentation will include tips for coaches to emphasize positioning and technique, while adding creativity, to lacrosse defense. Puls was the 2009 NCAA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year, and he won 1991 NJCAA National Championship while guiding CCBC-Essex.
Lacrosse coaches, officials and administrators can purchase convention tickets online at uslacrosse.org/2013convention before Dec. 28 for just $105 (a savings of 30 percent on the walk-up price). The convention ticket includes advance access to speaker handouts and post-event access to audio/video recordings of all convention presentations. Dick Vermeil, who coached the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XV and who guided the St. Louis Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV, will kick off the convention with a keynote address at 7 p.m. Jan. 11.
The US Lacrosse National Convention annually draws upwards of 5,000 participants, and it includes four live demonstration areas, approximately 150 educational sessions, and business meetings for numerous leadership groups within the sport. Hotel discounts are available for attendees. For information on schedules, speakers and hotels, and to purchase a convention ticket, visit uslacrosse.org/2013convention.
The US Lacrosse Fan Fest opens the convention center to the public Jan. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fan Fest includes roughly 150 exhibitors inside the sport’s largest expo hall, demonstrations and autographs from the U.S. National Teams and the Philadelphia Wings, the Champion Shooting Tunnel, and other interactive displays and prizes. Fan Fest tickets will be sold on site at the convention center’s Grand Hall entrance Jan. 12. Info at uslacrosse.org/2013fanfest.