BALTIMORE, MD - The Johns Hopkins Department of Athletics is now accepting registration forms for the Junior Jays, the official kids club of Johns Hopkins lacrosse. The club is open to boys and girls and provides an opportunity for Johns Hopkins lacrosse fans in the eighth grade and younger to be actively involved with the Blue Jay men's and women's lacrosse teams. This is the sixth year the Junior Jays have been in existence.

"Without question this is one of the most exciting programs we have initiated," Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse coach Dave Pietramala noted. "To see the growth since our first year has been remarkable and we are looking forward to welcoming back the kids who have been with us while adding new members for 2008. Our players look forward to the time they spend with our many young fans and this program is something that we hope will continue to grow."

Junior Jays members receive numerous benefits, including one general admission ticket to all Blue Jay men's lacrosse games (there is no fee to attend Johns Hopkins women's lacrosse games) and an official club t-shirt. In addition, only Junior Jays members are given the opportunity to be a ball boy or ball girl at Hopkins lacrosse games and members also receive a 10% discount on the registration fee to attend the Johns Hopkins boy's or girl's lacrosse youth camps during the summer. A complete list of club benefits can be found on the registration form.

As a bonus, anyone who registers before March 1 will be entered in a drawing to win tickets to the 2008 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals at the United States Naval Academy. In addition, all girls who register before March 1 will be entered in a drawing to win tickets to the 2008 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championships at Towson University (Memorial Day Weekend).

"We have received nothing but positive feedback from the kids who have joined and the growth in the number of girls in the program is very exciting," noted Janine Tucker, head coach of the Johns Hopkins women's lacrosse team.

The annual registration fee to join the Junior Jays is just $20. "This program is not about making a profit, it's about creating an environment where we can provide a positive experience for our many young fans. We hope that they enjoy this experience as much as our student-athletes do," said Ernie Larossa, Associate Director of Athletics at Johns Hopkins. Johns Hopkins also debuted the STX Fan Zone at Homewood Field in 2006 with the objective of creating a family-oriented event that focuses on the games, but has so much more to offer. Interactive lacrosse games, music, food and official Hopkins Lacrosse merchandise are just some of the things that will be found in the fan zone.

Membership in the club for the 2008 season will run until June 1, 2008. A registration form can be downloaded off the official web site of Hopkins Athletics (www.HopkinsSports.com). For more information about joining the Junior Jays, please contact Ernie Larossa, Associate Director of Athletics, (410/516-0552 or elarossa@jhu.edu).

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