Memories--both melancholy and merry--will flood the Manhasset community next spring when the Lacrosse Day of Champions returns to Manhasset High School on Saturday, April 19, 2008, honoring Sgt. Jimmy Regan. It is a day reserved to pay tribute to a fallen hero and a day designed to pay homage to a sport that has been inextricably linked to the town. It is also a day to recognize two local non-profit organizations, one dedicated to the betterment of Manhasset's highly popular sports programs, the Indians Rock Community Foundation, and the other committed to the support of dependents of U. S. Army Rangers, the Lead the Way Fund, Inc.

A full schedule of lacrosse games will take place that includes several nationally and locally acclaimed programs at the college, high school and youth levels. All games will be played at Manhasset High School and at neighboring fields.

"Mark your calendar now," declared Jack Moran, lacrosse head coach at Chaminade High School, Regan's alma mater. "Between honoring Jimmy, a Ranger who was killed in Iraq, attending a full day of competition among youth through college teams and raising needed funds to support Manhasset sports and military families, the day promises to be a win-win situation for the community. Remember Saturday, April 19 next year and plan now to attend this very special day."

PAL will launch the Saturday schedule with a series of youth teams which will play during the morning. The noon attraction will feature the Manhasset JV vs. Chaminade JV teams followed by the Manhasset girls' varsity lacrosse team. Then highlighting the afternoon will be the competition of the Manhasset vs. Chaminade Varsity game. "This being Jimmy's town and his high school, the game takes on an extremely emotional flavor," said Bill Cherry head lacrosse coach at Manhasset High School. The evening's marquee event will be a showdown between Duke, the 2007 NCAA lacrosse runner-up, which lost to Johns Hopkins, 12-11, and Army. Details of the day's game schedules and other events have yet to be finalized.

Regan, who was 26 when he gave his life for his country, had served four tours of duty before being killed while conducting combat operations in northern Iraq. Already highly decorated, for his military achievements as well as his athletic accomplishments, Jimmy was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

The Lead the Way Fund, Inc., a 501c3 charitable organization--which was established to honor the memory of Jimmy Regan, and raises funds in support of dependents of U. S. Army Rangers who have died, been disabled or who are currently serving in harm's way around the world--is teaming with the Indians Rock Community Foundation in spearheading Jimmy's lacrosse salute. For information on the fund's activities, visit: www.leadthewayfund.org.

The Indians Rock Community Foundation, a 501c3 charitable organization, which will be staging fund raising activities tied to the April 19, 2008 event--is a newly established, locally based organization committed to the improvement of athletic facilities and fields in the Manhasset community. The foundation is currently investigating the potential for additional artificial turf fields, complete with state-of-the-art facilities, including a concession stand, team meeting and training rooms plus storage areas. For further information, visit www.irockfundhome.org.