URBAN LACROSSE ACADEMY
GET TO KNOW US AT URBAN LACROSSE ACADEMY
OUR STORY
The Urban Lacrosse Academy was seeded from the fruits of the Ohio Machine, a professional lacrosse team and their philanthropic arm, the Ohio Machine Foundation. Their goal was to get a stick into the hand of every child in the Central Ohio area and worked with organizations such as the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department to host clinics and camps to achieve this mission. When the Ohio Machine ceased operations as an organization in the spring of 2019, the Ohio Machine Foundation board made the decision to move forward to continue this mission, but in a concerted effort. In August 2019, Urban Lacrosse Academy (ULA) was founded as a stand-alone 501c3 nonprofit with Bear Davis, the former Ohio Machine head coach and general manager, named ULA’s Executive Director. Currently, ULA is focused on creating partnerships within the various neighborhoods of Columbus with the intent of providing boys and girls within these communities exposure to the game of lacrosse.
Contact Jeremy Schocken
Program Director
Jeremy Schocken
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lacrosse is a lifelong passion of Jeremy's. To start his nearly 20-year career, he began playing for Westerville Warcats in the 6th grade and never looked back. After High School at Westerville North, he played for the Club Team at Bellarmine University, where he earned is B.A. in Exercise Science ('16). While at Bellarmine, Jeremy began his coaching career by helping launch the 3rd/4th grade program in South Oldham, KY, with his mentor and friend, Joe Richie. In addition to his love of lacrosse, Jeremy has always had a heart for service. Growing up, he spent summers at REACH mission camps, learning the value of service in the community. In college he attended alternate spring break and worked with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans, LA. If you see Jeremy out on a hike with his dog Rico, be sure to say hello!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tyree Pollard - President
Director of Attendance Columbus City Schools
Garon Tate - Vice President
Assistant Principal New Albany
Mark Sell, CPA - Treasurer
Retained Search Group
Jonathan Granson, CPA, CGMA - Secretary
Vice President of Tax Services Crawford Hoying
Jason Williams - Advisor
Charter Properties
Ryan Chenault - Past President
Columbus Blue Jackets
Bear Davis
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As a lacrosse coach for almost 30 years, Bear Davis has coached at every level of lacrosse from youth to college and even the professional and international levels. It was during his time as the head coach and general manager of the Ohio Machine that he was able to act upon his passion for growing the game in underserved communities of Columbus. Through his efforts, the Ohio Machine was able to partner with Columbus Recreation and Parks on a series of clinics and camps that earned state-wide recognition. Upon the ceasing of operation with the Ohio Machine, Davis refocused his efforts in to making the growth of lacrosse in these communities his primary focus and thus, the Urban Lacrosse Academy was born. Davis is a graduate of Wilmington College and received his secondary education history teaching license from Wright State University. He currently lives in Hilliard, Ohio with his wife Marissa and three children Matthew, Sadie and Kaiden and dog Howie.
