GSSHOF Grant Awarded to Onondaga Valley Lacrosse Association

Syracuse, NY — The Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame (GSSHOF) is pleased to announce Onondaga Valley Lacrosse Association (Valley Lacrosse) was awarded its 2025 Non-Profit Sports Organization Grant. Valley Lacrosse received a one-time grant of $2,500 at the 38th annual GSSHOF Dinner on Oct. 27.

Accepting the grant on behalf of Valley Lacrosse were Valley Lacrosse President Walter Eccles and Valley Lacrosse Boys Coordinator Erin Cole. The Onondaga Valley Lacrosse Association’s mission is to grow the game of lacrosse in the City of Syracuse by removing all barriers that prevent young girls and boys from playing lacrosse. Valley Lacrosse offers free lacrosse clinics for children at a variety of city parks and community centers.

The grant will go toward new equipment and running more free lacrosse clinics in the City of Syracuse. Valley Lacrosse services approximately 300 young people throughout the city.

“This grant will help us expand our footprint and expose as many kids as possible to the game of lacrosse,” Eccles said. “Many thanks to the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame for this grant which will help our mission.”

The GSSHOF launched its Grant Program in 2024 in an effort to support local athletic programs and give back to the community. The grant program is aimed to financially aid a not-for-profit youth or adult sport organization with the goal of making a difference in the local community through athletics.

The Grant Committee received an outstanding and varied group of applicants this year. The GSSHOF Sports Grant is open to sports-specific 501(c)3 and/or a not-for-profit community-based youth sports organization.

The GSSHOF will award a minimum of one (1) grant for a minimum of $2,500 annually. To apply for the 2026 grant, click here.

The GSSHOF believes sports, especially at the youth level, play an important role in a student/athlete’s life. The GSSHOF Sports Grant is designed to assist youth sports organizations making a difference in the local community through athletics.

The GSSHOF Grant is available to qualifying not-for-profit local youth sports organizations. Travel, elite, AAU, JV or varsity sports or training programs are NOT eligible for the GSSHOF Sports Grant.

Applications are due September 1, 2026. The recipient(s) will be notified in October, 2026.