Konica Minolta to Sponsor Four Major Lacrosse Tournaments in 2013

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. has announced the company’s commitment to sponsoring four upcoming lacrosse tournaments in March and April, this year.

The Metropolitan Lacrosse Classic, which will be held on March 17 at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens, will be the first-ever NCAA Division I lacrosse event in its history. The games will feature the College of the Holy Cross battling the United States Naval Academy and the University of Michigan playing Colgate University.

“We are honored to have Konica Minolta as the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Metropolitan Lacrosse Classic at Citi Field,” says Dave Howard, executive vice president of the New York Mets. “Konica Minolta’s support and commitment will ensure the event’s success in our lacrosse-loving community.”

Konica Minolta will also be sponsoring three Inside Lacrosse events this year. The Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic will be played on Saturday, March 23, 2013, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., and feature Colgate University vs. the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Virginia vs. Johns Hopkins University. The Konica Minolta Big City Classic will be played on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in E. Rutherford, N.J., and will feature Princeton University vs. Cornell and Notre Dame vs. Syracuse. The Whitman’s Sampler Mile High Classic, held in Denver, Colorado, will be held on March 16, and feature Loyola vs. the U.S. Air Force Academy and Notre Dame vs. Denver University.

In addition to the sponsorships, Konica Minolta has made a commitment to provide 300 lacrosse tickets for the students of two Baltimore City youth lacrosse organizations during the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic. The Charm City Youth Lacrosse League provides lacrosse-skills training, league play and mentoring to underserved Baltimore City youth at no cost. The Baltimore Middle School Lacrosse League provides opportunities for youth within Baltimore’s most economically disadvantaged and underserved neighborhoods to not only learn lacrosse skills but to also learn valuable lessons in character development, teamwork, reliability and commitment.

“We greatly appreciate the support of Konica Minolta,” says Andy Bilello, associate publisher at Inside Lacrosse. “Not only as the sponsor of the Face-Off Classic and Big City Classic but also for the company’s commitment to the youth programs associated with the sport of lacrosse.”

“Konica Minolta has been a sponsor of lacrosse games for more than six years,” says Kevin Kern, senior vice president, Marketing for Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States, particularly among America’s youth. We are proud to be a sponsor for a sport that attracts our future leaders.”