FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 6, 2025

Harlem’s Uptown Lacrosse presents “Uptown L-Ball at the Rucker”
Sunday, June 22 at Holcombe Rucker Basketball Court

Harlem, NY – Uptown Lacrosse is thrilled to announce the 3rd installment of our signature event, “Uptown L-Ball at the Rucker” Sunday, June 22, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Holcombe Rucker Basketball Court located at Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 155th Street.

Lacrosse is the oldest organized sport in America. Called the Creator’s Game by its Native American inventors, the Haudenosaunee, Uptown Lacrosse was formed to spread the Creator’s Game to children of color in Upper Manhattan.  One way we do this is through our “Uptown L-Ball at the Rucker” event.

“Uptown L-Ball at the Rucker” is Uptown Lacrosse’s annual invitational tournament.  Uptown L-Ball is 3-on-3 fast break lacrosse held at the Holcombe Rucker Basketball Court.  You’ll be amazed at the lacrosse prowess of our young players, demonstrated on the most famous basketball court in the world.

Event Highlights

• 9:00 AM – 9:15 Welcome Remarks
  Bruce Lincoln, the Founder will open the day and will welcome the attendees sharing insights on the mission of Uptown Lacrosse and taking them through the recitation of the Uptown Lacrosse Creed inspired by the Haudenosaunee.
• 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM Youth Lacrosse Clinic (Ages 5-12)
  Former collegiate lacrosse players will lead an interactive clinic, teaching fundamental skills such as catching, throwing, stickhandling, scooping, and shooting on goal. Open to children, 5 to 12, from the community who sign up beforehand on the website.
• 10:00 AM – 11:00 Uptown L-Ball Exhibition (Ages 5 -12)
  A thrilling 3-on-3 round robin tournament blending basketball and lacrosse, featuring the first Uptown Lacrosse Academy player cohort demonstrating this innovative fast-paced sport. All entrants in the round robin tournament will be recognized for their participation and will receive an award.
• 11:00AM – 11:15 AM Uptown Lacrosse Academy Awards Ceremony
• 11:15 AM – 12:00 School Players L-Ball Exhibition (Ages 14 to 17)
  A thrilling 3-on-3 hybrid game blending basketball and lacrosse, featuring high school athletes demonstrating this innovative fast-paced sport. Trinity and the Dalton School have been invited.
• 12:00 Noon – 12:30 Community Lunch
  Participants and attendees will enjoy healthy, locally sourced to-go lunches provided by Red Rabbit, a Harlem-based company committed to nutritious school meals.
• 12:30 – 12:45 Halftime Presentation (Speaker TBD)
• 12:45 – 1:00 Break
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM College Players L-Ball Exhibition
  A special live demonstration by current college players showcasing the athleticism and skill of the game. Invited players are from Princeton, Howard, Hampton, McGill, Amherst, Haverford, and Ohio State.
• 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Post College Players L-Ball Exhibition
  A special live demonstration by alumni college players showcasing the athleticism and skill of the game. Invited players are alumni from Princeton, Howard, Hampton, McGill, Amherst, Haverford, and Ohio State.
• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM All Star Game
  In the spirit of pick up hoops, the players will organize teams where post-college players will choose to team up with younger and school-age players to go 3-on-3 against one another to end the day on a high note.

About Uptown Lacrosse

Uptown Lacrosse is the brainchild of Bruce Lincoln, a Harlem native and serial entrepreneur who was the only African-American player on his Maryland State Championship-winning high school lacrosse team at Towson High School. He went on to play at Princeton University in the late 1970s and has long envisioned expanding lacrosse within the African-American community.

Get Involved

For more information on how your family can participate in the Uptown Lacrosse Academy and other programs, visit www.uptownlacrosse.org.

If you would like to donate, Please use the following link to make a donation and include “Uptown Lacrosse” in the memo section OR send an email to: [email protected] for verification. Many thanks for your support and we look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration.