To the Crash Family,
My name is Joe Meyer and I am the founder of Rhinos
Lacrosse. The Rhinos has been a club, a family, a "Crash" for
more than two decades, and it has never once wavered as a place where EVERYONE
is welcomed to play regardless of ability, capability, or social
situation. We have been a 501c non-profit entity for over a decade. Nationally, we have over three dozen total
Crash players who have gone on to play D2, D3, and MCLA schools.
About 20 years ago, Mike Dalbey and I unknowingly met each other
as members of the Philadelphia Wings. Our
paths crossed again about 6 years ago in Naples Florida where we ended up
coaching together at Gulf Coast High School and running the Naples
Rhinos. At that time, we had programs in Omaha, Denver, New York, New Jersey,
and Iowa; however, it was the program in Southwest Florida that really showed
me the social, personal, and family impact that our program has on
individuals. Mike ran this program and reached out in a grassroots effort
to kids who lacked the financial capability and opportunity to play club
lacrosse. Three times per week, these young men drove from an hour-and-a-half
away! They hustled, competed, and wound up beating perennial powerhouse MadLAX
in the Dicks Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions! This led to the Rhinos being invited to the
MadLax National Club Tournament.
In the fall of 2015, Mike led our Rhinos to an impressive 7-10
loss to nationally ranked and powerhouse IMG. This story is not about the
outcome of the tourney, but rather the impact of playing for the Rhinos. About 5 or 6 young men came up to Mike with
tears in their eyes, smiles on their faces, and stated how playing this sport
for and being part of the Rhinos family, literally got them off of drugs, kept
them off of the streets, and motivated them to go to college. Three of
those young men now have college degrees and are coaching youth and middle
school lacrosse grassroots programs in their communities.
The
growth Mike and his team has experienced in the PA area has resulted in the
addition of a JV team to his Varsity team; and included
the addition of our new home at William Tenant High School where a new head
coach and assistant have been brought on board to properly support the
teams. Several local high school coaches have reached out to us to
commend the teaching and preparedness our Crash players are exhibiting at the high
school and collegiate levels.
Mike and I are proud to FINALLY announce the long-awaited Rhinos
National Team which will be put together possibly as early as this Fall for
competition in Spring/Summer 2020. 22-25 of the best Rhinos players will
be hand selected from our teams in Omaha, Southwest Florida, and Pennsylvania.
We plan to compete at the showcases with other National teams such as SweetLAX,
Crabs, and Team 91.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom
of my heart for supporting the Rhinos Lacrosse Club. Sincerely,
Joe Meyer
Founder/ Co-President Rhinos Lacrosse LLC
Head Coach Gulf Coast High School
[email protected]