OUR STORY:
We are a group of former lacrosse players, coaches, administrators and business people who want to honor, grow and remove the barriers to entry for lacrosse in Minnesota. In 2024 Mark Hellenack , one of the early leaders of lacrosse growth in Minnesota, decided retirement from coaching did not mean stepping back from lacrosse entirely. He had a life changing health setback and it made him realize how short life can be and how important it is to make a difference while you are still here. So, he started the Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame Foundation to honor all the outstanding men and women that played, coached or officiated at a high level, or developed and grew the game. We also want to address the growth the sport and do what we can to impact it, like we did when there was a Minnesota chapter of US Lacrosse. So, the challenge begins! We find ourselves in a position to raise money and lean on like minded donors and sponsors.
The first board meeting was held in June of 2025. Since then, we have built a website (virtual Hall of Fame and history museum), funded youth participation and new program builder grants, planned some impactful events like the Ref Appreciation & Recruiting Week – to grow the pool of refs and thank them, Hotdish Sixes fundraising tourney – to fund our efforts, unite older players and have some fun doing it, and our annual Awards Ceremony & Gala – to honor many and fundraise. Our first class of 14 Hall of Fame award winners was attended by over 100 guests on Sunday Nov 2nd 2025. This year we are looking at Sun, Sept 27th at a larger venue, most likely the MN History Center of a local golf course banquet hall.
Our journey as a nonprofit has just begun. We are not just a hall of fame, but a source of support for the growth and development of lacrosse with our plans for a Coached & Refs Training Summit, Ref Appreciation & Recruiting and a source of funding to remove financial barriers to youth lacrosse participation with our grants.
We hope you can support our efforts with your donations, volunteer time and event sponsorship. Together we can drive lasting change in honoring and growing lacrosse in Minnesota.
Let us know how we can serve you!
Mark “Coach” Hellenack – President
Email | mnlaxhalloffame@gmail.com
Phone | 952-457-4515
Web | www.mnlacrossehof.org
BIG IMPACT NEWS – We are proud to announce our first $1,000 New Youth Program Builder Grant will be going to a mom,Nikki Bettcher Erickson, in Wilmer who is building a youth program for her 14 yr old son. We are partnering with Homegrown Lacrosse, who is providing a Trylax Clinic and guidance with the administrative process. This is the first of what we hope will be many new youth new programs we can impact here in Minnesota. YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS MADE THIS HAPPEN!!!!
Testimonial
ABOUT THE WEBSITE: It’s great to see the content, the enthusiasm and respect shown for those who helped build Minnesota Lacrosse into what it has become! Lots of names from the “way back” that make me smile.
Board of Directors
Mark Hellenack
Jon Harris
Jon Harris
Gregory Kraut
Ian Flam
Tyler Keenan
Alan Childs
Mike Livingston
Kathryn Kinppemberg
Kevin Reed
OUR EVENTS:
Click on the event images below for more details
Sixes fundraising Tournament
Screenshot
Thank & Recruit Our Referees
Screenshot
Award Ceremony & Benefit
terry watson
Senior Executive
george dean
Project Manager
monica pulley
Project Designer
WE GROW THE GAME
We Recruit & Thank Refs, Train Coaches & Refs, Collect Ueds Equipemt for New programs, and provide Youth Participation and New Program Builder GrantsWE HONOR THE GAME
We are a source of Minnesota lacrosse culture, history, news and information with our Hall of Fame website. We run a Hotdish fundraising tournament to connect old teammates and foster a sense of community and charitable giving. We nominate, select and recognize our hall of fame award winners and run an annual Awards Ceremony to honor their achievements.
We are supported by the Jake Anderson “Give 60 for 60” Foundation, who’s four core principles align we ours. To award kindness, sportsmanship, leadership, and character
MISSION:
To honor the achievements of our state’s most talented players, coaches, referees, administrators and growers of the game at our annual Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony & Gala. We also impact the growth and development of the game with our youth participation and new program builder grants, Ref Appreciation & Recruiting week and planned Coach & Ref Summit. The grants are focussed on growing the sports in Minnesota’s marginalized outstate and low income inner city communities.
VISION..
Engauge the lacrosse community and make it aware of the rich Native history, culture and roots of the sport and recognize those who have played, coached, officiated/umpired at a high level, administrated or grown the game. We also strive to bring the community together with our events like the Hotdish Tourney, Awady Ceremony, Ref Appreciation, Coaches/Ref Summit and Stick for Kids.
VALUES..
* Recognition * Partnership * Integrity * Character * Honor * Sportsmanship * Access * Culture * Community * Development * Philanthropy * Youth Access * Equity * Inclusion * Diversity * Transparency * Leadership * Shared Responsibility * History *
ISSUES WE ADDRESS
We are the keepers of the past and modern history of lacrosse in Minnesota. Our board member and resident lacrosse historian, J. Alan Childs is an expert on the history of the game. His book “Minnesota Lacrosse, A History” is a great read for lax history buffs.
We honor outstanding achievement at our annual Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony & Benefit. On average there are 10-12 awards received in four categories (see above image). Plans are in the works to honor all the 2026 HS All-Americans and the 2007 Men’s College National Champion team from the University of St Thomas (they have won 7 national championships since 2007). We will make it a tradition to invite either a HS State Championship team or college national Championship team each year to honor them at our awards ceremony.
Growing the Game…
GRANTS…We offer grants for low income kids to participate in camps and leagues, as well as a youth program builder grant to jump start new youth programs with equipment and training for coaches, as well as Intro clinics for new players in underserved outstate and inner city communities. We partner with local nonprofit Homegrown Lacrosse, the National Lacrosse Laegue – UnBoxed Equipment Program and USA Lacrosse – New Start Equipment Program
COACHES CLINICS…We strive to bring talented coaches to the state of Minnesota through partners with the PLL, USA Lacrosse, and the National Lacrosse League, as well as local partners, to enhance the level of coaching skills.
REF RECRUITING & THANKING…We also have an awareness program in April to encourage the recruiting and thanking of officials because you can’t play the game without the third team on the field. The goal is 20 rookie officials and 20 umpires.
STICKS FOR KIDS…To address the need for equipment for low income kids and n programs, we are running a “Sticks For Kids” Equipment drive with retail partner ES Lacrosse this spring and hope to roll it out in an even bigger way next year.
Used equipment (goals, helmets, gloves, shoulder, and elbow pads, and goals will be donated to those starting a new youth program or as part of our participation grant
How You Can Help
NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE AWARDS WE OFFER: Visit our Nomination Forms page and nominate yourself or someone else for any of our four awards. It’s easy to do, just fill out the online form, include a lacrosse resume and download it. The outline for the resume is listed along with the criteria for eligibility.Nominating & Voting Process..You can nominate yourself or someone else. The online Nomination Forms and criteria for all four awards are available on our Nomination page. The deadline for all nominations is Aug 4th, 2026.Each summer. the selection committee members of the MN Lacrosse Hall of Fame pick the top 20 candidates from all the nominations submitted online by the Minnesota lacrosse community. The male and female player, coach, referee and other award nominees are rank voting by the selection committee and o determine who is inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Click the buttons below to be directed to the full description of each award.
The Unsung Hero award is meant for those who have impacted the growth or development of the sport in Minnesota. The Janet Holdsworth Unsung Hero Award is given a deserving female. While the Howard Rogers Unsung Hero award is given to a deserving male.
Both Janet and Howard were instrumental in championing the move from girls and boy’s club lacrosse to varsity status in Minnesota in early 2007-2010.
Allan Safranek, the 2025 Art Ayers Award winner (Started the St Cloud area lacrosse movement.
The Art Ayers “Grow the Game in Outstate MN Award” is for those who have been instrumental in starting a new lacrosse program in Outstate Minnesota.
John Alexander Hunter was the 2025 Dr dan Ninham Indigenous Lacrosse award recipient because of his tireless promoting of the traditional wood stick game in the Native community.
The Dr. Dan Ninham “Indigenous Lacrosse Award” is for an outstanding native player, stickmaker and those who have promoted the traditional wood stick game in the Midwest. We like to call it the Heisman and Tewaaraton Trophy of the Midwest.
The Choice Awards offer a unique twist and show of mutual respect. Coaches vote for the Umpire and Official of the Year, while the umpires and officials vote for the men’s and women’s coach of the year.
Men’s Coaches Choice Award for the Lacrosse Official of the Year
Officials Choice Award for the Men’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year
Women’s Coaches Choice Award for the Lacrosse Umpire of the Year.
Umpires Choice Award for the Women’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
OUR 2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES…
Rpb Graff – Caoch
Rich Limpert – Coach
harold Buck – Official & Admin
Howard Roders – Unsung Hero
Janet Holdswort – Unsung Hero
Chris Larson – Official & Admin
Laura Mark – Coach
Aron lipkin – Coach & Admin
Judy Baxter – Coach
Ryan Hurley – Player
Julie Carlson – Umpire & Admin
Lydia Sutton
Player
FUNDING GOALS FOR 2026…
GROW THE GAME FUNDING..
We are looking to raise $6,000 in Grow the Game funding to support the grants we use to help build new lacrosse programs and remove financial barriers to lacrosse participation for low income kids in Minnesota.
2026 Goal …$100 per grant x 10 new grants = $1,000
This need based grant is used by youth players who’s family is struggling financially and cant afford to pay the whole camp or league registration fee. They apply for it and it is paid directly to the camp or league. Likewise, with the Equipment Grant. If a family is in need of assistance with equipment, we can reach out to our list of local retailers and youth association teams to see if they can provide used equipment like a helmet, gloves, pads and stick. In the near future we hope to run a “Sticks For Kids Equipment Drive”. This program would have us accept donations of equipment from retailers and existing youth teams to donate to kids from low income families, so they have the opportunity to play.
2026 Funding Goal… $1,000 per grant x 5 = $5,000
This grants is for building new youth programs. There are several parts to it, including
1. Sending a local qualified instructor to run the Intro to Lacrosse clinics(s). This includes all the necessary equipment (Sticks. soft lacrosse balls, goals, player/parents recruiting fliers in addition to finding an indoor or outdoor facility and arranging low of no costas and scheduling.It is prefered to us a local elem or middle school and work with the Phys Ed dept or after school with Community Ed or Parks & Rec. Teaching lacrosse in PE classes is the most affective way to start a new program. It can reach most , if not all, students and take 1-2 days.
2. Training & Mentoring potential coaches and team administrators. This includes online training provided by USA Lacrosse and a list of nearby teams and leagues to join. We also, try to connect new coaches and admins with the local existing one who can show them the ropes and share their knowledge.
3.Equipment Grants are provided in 2 ways, USA Lacrosse has a new helmet and stick grant for boys and a stick grant for girls. Our Grow the Game grant supplements what USA Lacrosse provides for things like lacrosse goals, extra intro clinics and mentoring. In the future we hope to provide used equipment through our “Sticks For Kids Equipment Drives.
HONOR THE GAME FUNDING…
We are looking to raise $10,000 in Honor the Game funding to support our 2026 events, which include updating the website, the Referee Appreciation & Recruiting Week, Hotdish Sixes Tournament and adding Boy’s and Girl’s high school and college All-Americans to the banquet this year along with the 2007 National Champion college men’s team from the University of St Thomas. It turns out that several Hall of Fame’s around the country invite a State H.S. championship team from 8-10 years back, as a sort of a reunion and celebration of their achievement.
Late 2026/Early 2027 plans…We would like to plan a coaches clinic with the PLL when they come to town in late August of 2026 and a Midwest Lacrosse Coaches & Referee Training Summit/Convention in Minnesota in partnership with USA Lacrosse in early 2017.
Our Administrative/Operating expenses amount to about $4,000 a year for the website and administration of the nonprofit programs.
Total Funding Needs for 2026 $20,000
2026 Funding Goal..$8,000 for the awards, awards banquet facility, food and beverage deposit, printed program, photographer, videographer, marketing & advertising, inductee & a guest dinners, raffle tickets, eNOTE: We are adding about 16 high school All-Americans and their coach; that’s 34 guests. The University of St. Thomas 2007 National Championship team will also be our guests. That’s a reason for needing $8,000 to make this award ceremony fantastic.. 
2026 Funding Goal…$600 for Annual Officials & Umpires Appreciation & Recruiting Week
This event will involve rallying the lacrosse community at all levels to show appreciation for officials and umpires on the week we select, Giving them praise after the game, maybe a gift card or pat on the back and “job well done’, goes along way.
We want to also use the week to focus on recruiting the next generation of youth officials from our high school and college players, parents and fans. So, we plan to set-up recruiting blitz via email and social media advertising the need and offering free training. We have teo sponsors to help pay for the award palques and dinners for the Choice Awards,
Old Southern BBQ and the Jake Anderson Foundation Give 60 for 60 Foundation.
Hotdish fundraising Tournament (new Sixes format) for older male and female age levels in the fall .
2026 Projected Funding Goal…$4,000 for the Hotdish Sixes Fall Tournament for male & female age levels: Juniors 18-35 and Legends 35 & Older. We are still figuring out where to hold this one day event which will most likely be a Sunday in late August or early September. We hope to have the team fee, location and other logistics figured out very soon. What to expect: Short field size (half field) and two 12 minute halves per game, 4-5 games. use of Sixes rules, small rosters of 8-12 players. lots of fun and an after party at a local watering hole with a hotdish contest and plenty of hotdish on the menu. an engraved glass casserole hotdishes will he awarded to the winning teams in each division. We are in the process of working with Homegrown as a tournament admin. admin and co-partner. HOF board members Jon Harris and Mike Livingston are running the tournament Jon can be reached at Jon@apexperformance.one and Mike at Livy036@gmail.com
OUR PARTNERS:
For more details on how to donate or volunteer please visit our “Donate to the Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame” page on this website or contact board president Mark Hellenack at MNlaxhalloffame@gmail.com / 952-457-4515
OUR SUPPORTERS:
To discuss all your sponsor or advertise options, please contact board president Mark Hellenack at MNlaxhalloffame@gmail.com / 952-457-4515. Help Us Grow your business and the sport of lacrosse! You can be an ad sponsor for as little as $60 – $100
