Girls LaCrosse To Be Officially Funded Sport In District 99

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The sound of cheering crowds and clinking lacrosse sticks will soon be even more familiar for students of Downers Grove North and South now that girls lacrosse is set to start its first officials season. The District 99 Board of Education unanimously approved girls lacrosse co-op to be funded for the 2019-20 school year, according to a recent news release from district officials.

In a statement, Downers Grove North High School Athletic Director Denise Kavanaugh said, "We’re excited to officially welcome lacrosse as a funded sport in our district." Kavanaugh went on to praise the coaching staff selected for both Downers Grove North and South.

District officials said Jon Gargiulo, who will serve as lacrosse program advisor, mentor, and founder, was "instrumental" in bringing the sport to life in District 99. Gargiulo, who played lacrosse while in college in New York spent the better part of over a decade "bringing lacrosse to Downers Grove and raising interest and participation," officials said in the recent news release.

Gargiulo will be joined by U.S. certified lacrosse coach Christian Pilapil as varsity head coach, experienced player and coach Katlyn Wilke as varsity assistant coach, and former Downers Grove boys lacrosse player Zach Pressley as junior varsity coach.

Kavanaugh said, "We couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff to kick off the inaugural season."

Girls and boys lacrosse programs were first approved in District 99 in 2013-14 as unfunded programs.