WELCOME TO
HEADstrong Lehigh Valley Lacrosse Club
Over the past 10 years the lacrosse club has established itself as a preeminent lacrosse organization that has grown nationally to provide an unmatched standard of excellence both athletically and academically. HEADstrong Lacrosse Club identifies, recruits, trains, teaches and coaches players capable of, but more importantly committed to playing the sport of lacrosse at its highest level.
Receive top qualified coaching from pro players, college coaches, high school head coaches and current NCAA players.
Local training available all year around for players of all ages and skill levels.
501-C3 Non-Profit classification ensures all cost are minimalized
Players represented by all Lehigh Valley programs
Mike Bender, General Manager
Bender has served as the Head Coach at Parkland High School since 2018. Prior to taking the job at Parkland, he served as an assistant coach at Southern Lehigh from 2016-2018. An assistant coach for the Hong Kong National Team at the 2018 Men’s World Championships in Israel and 2016 u19 World Championships in Vancouver, Bender was drafted by the Connecticut Hammerheads of Major League Lacrosse in 2020.
Collegiately, Bender won a National Championship during his career at Maryland while making two trips to the Final Four. He saw action in 28 games in two seasons for the Terrapins after transferring from Bellarmine University. in his first two collegiate seasons, he saw action in 26 games, including 14 starts as a sophomore.
A four-year letterwinner at Emmaus High School, Bender helped lead the Hornets to four Lehigh Valley Lacrosse League championships. He finished his senior season with 16 goals and 11 assists and totaled 40 points on 24 goals and 16 assists during his high school career. A four year member of the All-Conference team, he was named league MVP and first team All-State as a senior.
Tournament Schedules
October 29
Mid-Atlantic Tournament (2029, 2031)
TBD
New Castle, DE
November 4
Liberty National Tournament (2025/2026, 2027)
TBD
Aston, PA
November 4
Harvest Classic Tournament (2028, 2029/2030)
TBD
Downingtown, PA
November 5
Liberty Rising Tournament (2028, 2029, 2031, 2032)
TBD
Allentown, PA
November 11
Veteran's Day Classic (2029/2030, 2033)
TBD
Mercer County, NJ
November 12
New Jersey Invitational (2025/2026, 2027)
TBD
Tinton Falls, NJ
HEADlines
HEADstrong Lehigh Valley Tryouts
Tryouts for new players interested in the HEADstrong Lehigh Valley program will take place on July 11th! Date: Tuesday, July 11 with a rain date of Thursday, July 13th Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Location: Nitchmann Middle School Turf Field 1002 W Union Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18018 Registration: Open to new players only. All ages and positions welcomed from 3rd though 11th grade. Sign Up: http://headstronglehigh.leagueapps.com/events/3936631-headstrong-lehigh-tryouts-2023-24 Questions? Please contact [email protected]
HEADstart Lehigh Valley Summer 2023
HEADstart is back in the Lehigh Valley this summer! Starting June 7th and running for 5 weeks, boys and girls ages 3-7 can learn the basics of lacrosse and sharpen their skills. Dates: June 7, 14, 21, 28 & July 12 Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Location: St. Luke’s Sports Center, 3321-3323 7th St., Whitehall, PA 18052 Price: $100 All sessions will be broken up into two groups – learn to play with no equipment needed and
Winter Training Sessions Announced
Our Lehigh Valley Program has announced their winter training schedule! Winter training will be held at St. Luke’s Fieldhouse. Address can be found below. The sessions schedule can be found below. Stay sharp this winter and come out and train! Work on you stick skills, game IQ and fitness level to be prepared for this upcoming spring. All sessions will be from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Questions? Email [email protected]! Where: St. Luke’s Fieldhouse 3321 7th Street
Coaching Staff
About: Karabinus is currently committed to Saint Joesph’s University. He...
