The Girls Lacrosse Association of Michigan (GLAM) is a non-profit organization established to give girls in the state of Michigan an opportunity to experience, learn and play the game of lacrosse in a fun, healthy and safe environment. Girls will learn the fundamental skills, rules and fitness needed to play the game of women’s lacrosse. They will also hone life skills such as commitment to team, sportsmanship, exercising leadership, setting goals and developing friendships.
GLAM GUIDING PRINCIPALS
• Respect the game
• Respect authority
• Support your teammates
• Focus on the fundamentals
• Make academics a priority
• Don’t let the desire to win eclipse the spirit to play
• Everyone plays offense; everyone plays defense
• Be open to new concepts
• Be of healthy mind, body and sprit
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
This company was created by three women to make sure young women had a quality experience. Of women. By Women. For Women.
Laura DeMeulemeester,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lacrosse is my passion. Shaping my life in so many ways, lacrosse is more than simply a sport; it is a culture and life-shaping journey. As an All-American, D-1 college player, dedicated lacrosse official and president of the Michigan Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association, I am uniquely qualified and fortunate to understand lacrosse from a player’s perspective, a coach’s perspective, a college recruiting perspective, an official’s perspective and finally, from a national perspective as I represent the state of Michigan. My unique background supplies GLAM with insight and influence not commonly found in Michigan.
I have been mentored along my lacrosse journey by some of the greatest coaches in the women’s game. Ms. Dritsas (Academy of the Sacred Heart) and while at Loyola, Diane Aikens (a true champion), Janine Tucker (current head coach, Johns Hopkins) and Sue Heether (USA Team coach).
I owe so much to these women and the mentoring they provided me: confidence, perseverance, goal-setting, teamwork, leadership, and stewardship. I am looking forward to returning to the game – through GLAM – what was given to me by others.
Now it is time to return to the sport of lacrosse the many life enhancing experiences and memories. My mission is to provide girls and young women the opportunities available through lacrosse for developing confidence, athleticism, healthfulness and a pathway through college and beyond.
Laura's Lacrosse Highlights
Player
Division 1 Lacrosse and Field Hockey – Loyola College in Baltimore, MD (1990 – 1992)
All American Lacrosse Player – Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, MI
• Captain of 2 State Championship lacrosse teams (1989, 1990)
• Varsity starter on 4 State Championship lacrosse teams (1987 – 1990)
US Lacrosse Representative
President of the Michigan Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association (2007 – 2009, 2010)
Ratings Chair – US Lacrosse Midwest Super Region (2004 – Present)
Official
10-year board member of the Michigan Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association (2001 – Present)
11-year US Lacrosse Official (2000 – Present)
• National Rated Official – US Lacrosse
• Selected to Officiate the Championship game at multiple Midwest & State Tournaments
Elaine Torvinen,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
I am a lifelong fitness enthusiast who competed in softball, basketball and track and field in my youth. I began playing volleyball in the 9th grade and in an adult recreation league and continued to play softball and volleyball recreationally and basketball in high school. I was a volleyball scholarship recipient at Eastern Michigan University in 1977 and 1978.
During college I developed an interest in officiating sports, which I did for the intramural department. After college I coached and refereed volleyball for several years. I became involved with lacrosse as an official in 1988 and have worked my way up to a National Rating and serve on the local umpiring board in Michigan, MWLOA, as well as the National Umpiring Committee of US Lacrosse.
My degree from EMU was in teaching physical education, and I have put my teaching skills to work helping many to become lacrosse officials.
I was instrumental in the development of the MWLOA, the local board of women’s lacrosse officials in Michigan. I served as the chairperson of this group from its inception in 1999 until 2007. I have served as a board member of the US Lacrosse Michigan Chapter for the past several years.
I currently work in the Parks and Recreation field doing programming primarily for senior citizens. My training as a physical educator and experience as a lacrosse official for over 20 years has shown me there is a need for more structured system for educating young girl’s in the sport of lacrosse. I believe in the importance of young people having the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities in a non-competitive atmosphere.
I have desire to see young girl's learn all the basic skills required to enjoy the game and develop as a player without the pressure of winning. GLAM will spread the joy of lacrosse across the State of Michigan and help to grow the game.
