Dec. 10, 2004

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BALTIMORE, MD — The Johns Hopkins Department of Athletics is now accepting registration forms for the Junior Jays, the official kids club of Johns Hopkins lacrosse. The club is open to boys and girls and provides an opportunity for Johns Hopkins lacrosse fans in the eighth grade and younger to be actively involved with the Blue Jay men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. This is the third year the Junior Jays have been in existence.

"Without question this is one of the most exciting programs we have initiated," Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse coach Dave Pietramala noted. "To see the growth from the first year to last year was remarkable (approximately 80 kids were enrolled in 2003, while just over 130 joined in 2004) and we are looking forward to welcoming back the kids who have been with us while adding new members for 2005. Our players look forward to the time they spend with our many young fans and this program is something that we hope will continue to grow."

Junior Jays members receive numerous benefits, including one general admission ticket to all Blue Jay men’s lacrosse games (there is no fee to attend Johns Hopkins women's lacrosse games) and an official club t-shirt. In addition, only Junior Jays members are given the opportunity to be a ball boy or ball girl at Hopkins lacrosse games and members also receive a 10% discount on the registration fee to attend the Johns Hopkins boy’s or girl’s lacrosse youth camps during the summer. A complete list of club benefits can be found on the registration form.

As a bonus, the first 150 boys and girls to register for the Junior Jays club will be entered in a drawing to win tickets to the 2005 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse South Quarterfinals at Homewood Field on May 21. Four sets of tickets will be awarded.

"Our lacrosse players have been very active in the community, but there is something about interacting with kids that they really enjoy," noted Janine Tucker, women's lacrosse coach at Johns Hopkins. "We have received nothing but positive feedback from the kids who have joined in the last two years and the increase in the number of girls in the program from the first year to the second was very exciting."

The annual registration fee to join the Junior Jays has been reduced this year from $25 to $15. "After two years of operation we have found our price point and adjusted the fee accordingly," noted Ernie Larossa, Associate Director of Athletics at Johns Hopkins. "This program is not about making a profit, it's about creating an environment where we can provide a positive experience for our many young fans. We hope that they enjoy this experience as much as our student-athletes do."

Membership in the club will run until June 1, 2005. A registration form can be downloaded off the official web site of Hopkins Athletics (www.HopkinsSports.com). For more information about joining the Junior Jays, please contact Ernie Larossa, Associate Director of Athletics, at 410/516-0552 or elarossa@jhu.edu.