The Professional Box Lacrosse Association (PBLA) announced that its ninth team for its inaugural season will be the “JIM THORPE ALL-AMERICANS.” The league also announced that its championship trophy will be named the “Jim Thorpe Trophy” in honor of Jim Thorpe, a man many consider to be the greatest American athlete of the last century. Thorpe, a Native American, was an Olympic Gold Medalist, a Major League Baseball player, and a Hall of Fame football player. He was also a great high school lacrosse player.
“When we created the PBLA, we kept coming back to our desire to give the greatest American athletes the opportunity to showcase their world-class skills,” said league commissioner, Steve Donner.
Donner added, “Jim Thorpe was the first great multi-sport hero who performed on the world stage. He was a Native American as well as the greatest American athlete. We want to showcase the origins of the sport and be a league that has at its foundation, diversity.”
Carmen Kesner, PBLA C.E.O., said, “Jim Thorpe is, quite literally, the gold standard for athletic achievement. At the end of the season, it will take a full team of athletes aspiring to Jim Thorpe’s level of greatness to win our championship trophy bearing his name.”
Mayor Michael Sofranko, of Jim Thorpe, PA said, “The residents of Jim Thorpe have always been very passionate about honoring Jim Thorpe for his many accomplishments. Having a professional sports team based out of our town gives current and future generations even more to cheer about.”
Additionally, Jim Thorpe’s grandson, John Thorpe added, “Is there a better way to honor the world’s greatest athlete than with America’s oldest sport? I think not.”
The team will play a four game “Origins Series” at venues that will celebrate the league’s commitment to the sport’s dual platform of tradition and diversity. The remaining home games will further the league’s commitment to this platform, with a full announcement forthcoming regarding locations and tickets.
The PBLA held its first-ever player draft this past October. The season will face-off on December 29, 2022. The final game of the inaugural season will be played on April 15, 2023.
To learn more about the PBLA visit http://PBLA.com
About The PBLA
The PBLA was established to help further grow the sport of lacrosse and create the most exciting brand of professional box lacrosse in North America. The PBLA’s mission is to bring the world of professional, high-energy, indoor lacrosse to fans across the United States. The PBLA believes there’s a tremendous opportunity to improve the game of professional box lacrosse by bringing back American players to compete in non-stop, riveting contests, that will bring every fan to their feet and show everyone why Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the country.
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