FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2020
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, USA — World Lacrosse announced today the appointment of Rob Gross as Chair of Education and Training, after he previously served in an interim role. Gross will continue to oversee the committee, which is responsible for coordinating training and development for men’s and women’s officials, and other education and training programs to support the development of lacrosse around the globe.
“I am honored to have been selected for this opportunity,” said Gross. “I am grateful to World Lacrosse Technical Director Don Blacklock, and the entire World Lacrosse leadership for their confidence. I am looking forward to building and expanding what has been started, and I’m excited about the possibilities.”
As a men’s official, Gross has been on the field for several major World Lacrosse events, including the senior-level World Championship (2010, 2018), Under-19 World Championship (2008) and Indoor World Championship (2011). He also officiated in the European Lacrosse Federation (ELF) Field (2012), Indoor (2017) and Under-20 (2019) Championships. He is an official for the NCAA, Premiere Lacrosse League, Major League Lacrosse and National Lacrosse League.
Gross holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and a master’s degree in secondary education from Canisius College. He is in his 21st year as a teacher of English Language Arts and Journalism at the high school level for the Lancaster Central School District in Lancaster, NY.
“We are pleased that we have been able to retain Rob as our E&T Chair on a permanent basis so that he can continue to deliver on the work that the Officiating Sector has begun,” said World Lacrosse Technical Director Don Blacklock. “Rob and his committee will continue to focus on the development of education and training materials to support officiating pathways at a domestic, regional and international level. These are fundamental to the growth and support of the international officiating community.”
Administratively, Rob is a US Lacrosse-certified trainer and observer, and is a LAREDO clinician. He was the US Lacrosse International Official’s Representative from 2012-2016, and was the lead clinician for the first international LAREDO training in Denver, Colo., in 2014. He was named Referee-In Chief for the 2016 ELF Field Championship.
Gross has 27 years of coaching experience, including 12 as a head coach of American football at the high school level, and three as an assistant at the NCAA level. He has also been an assistant coach in lacrosse, basketball and Unified basketball.
Media Contact: Darryl Seibel
Email: dseibel@worldlacrosse.sport
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About World Lacrosse
World Lacrosse is the international federation for men’s and women’s lacrosse, responsible for providing effective leadership and governance of the sport internationally while supporting the continued growth of lacrosse worldwide. In November 2018, World Lacrosse was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The President of World Lacrosse is Sue Redfern of England.
