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John Christmas
All-American lacrosse player at University of Virginia, where he won a National Championship in 2003. Founder of the non-profit organization, LEAPS, bringing lacrosse into urban areas.
From the age of ten, John has been recognized as one of the best lacrosse players in the United States. Sports Illustrated for Kids hailed him as the "one to watch" when he was only in 6th grade. Proving the premonitions rights, many years later he graced the cover of the first edition of Sports Illustrated On Campus, not as the scrawny 6th grader with a lot of potential and a wicked shot, but as an all star college attack-man at the University of Virginia. He led both his Lower Merion High School team as well as his college team, the Virginia Cavaliers, to earning the title of champions. There are numerous records and titles given to Christmas throughout his career; most notably, the only three time, All American high school lacrosse player in the state of Pennsylvania as well as the first black attack-man at the University of Virginia.
Christmas was drafted to play professionally directly out of college, starting his career with the Boston Cannons where he played for four seasons and the Philadelphia Wings for five seasons and counting. In 2006, he was named the leagues Most Improved Player after only his first season of professional play. In 2007, Christmas was selected to play for the USA Indoor National team. In addition to his professional career, Christmas has also held numerous coaching jobs, previously at the University of Pennsylvania and current with the Dukes Lacrosse Club. Under his guidance, the Club has ensured exceptionally talented lacrosse players scholarships totaling 40 million dollars in college tuition. He currently holds endorsements with Maverick Lacrosse.
Despite his awards and achievements, Christmas is most proud of his non-profit work. Taking a year hiatus from professional play, in 2009, Christmas founded the organization, LEAPS (Lacrosse Education Attitude Perseverance Success) with the ambitions of bringing lacrosse to urban areas. Based out of Philadelphia, LEAPS has been widely successful both in teaching the fundamentals of the sport as well as forming competing, club teams comprised of urban youth. In addition to LEAPS, Christmas also makes appearances in Philadelphia Public Schools Physical Education classes introducing the sport of lacrosse as well as motivating kids to be physically active.
As an African American, raised in a modest home without the privileges often associated with a predominately upper class sport, Christmas offers a unique perspective on the meaning of defying diversity as he epitomizes determination and hard work to succeed . As a current successful entrepreneur, lacrosse trainer and coach, nonprofit manager, and professional lacrosse player, John's charming personality and contagious sense of humor strengthen his ability to relate to both children and adults of all social classes.
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