WASHINGTON, D.C. - As part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to curb childhood obesity, Villanova University men's lacrosse student-athlete Chris Piccirilli (So., Davidsonville, Md.) and other members of the lacrosse community were able to spend a few moments at the White House on July 11, taking in lacrosse in its various forms on the nation's most famous front lawn.
Serving as a volunteer and chaperoning children from the Annapolis Boys & Girls Club to the event, Piccirilli had the opportunity to represent Villanova while teaching young students from the Washington, D.C. area the history and basics of lacrosse.
Let's Move! in Indian Country is a new focus for the First Lady's health campaign, focusing on exercise and athleticism among the U.S.' Native American community. To kick off the initiative, Native American leaders, along with the Department of the Interior and lacrosse community leaders, hosted a series of clinics on the White House's South Lawn, with the game on prominent display.
MetroLacrosse, Major League Lacrosse, National Lacrosse League, the Iroquois National Team, NMAI and the Onondaga Nation, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Museum and Cultural Center led groups through box and field lacrosse drills, cradling and groundball techniques and demonstrations of Great Lakes stick ball.
Dept. Asst. to the President Michael Strautmanis and Onondaga spiritual leader Oren Lyons spoke to open the event and Sid Hill finished the opening ceremonies with a blessing.
Piccirilli had a solid freshman campaign with the Wildcats in 2011, and was selected to participate in the 122 player tryout pool for the U.S. men's national under-19 team that will compete in the 2012 World Championships.
