About Casey Powell Lacrosse Foundation
Our Story
The Powell Lacrosse Foundation was born in 2014 from a simple idea: that the lacrosse community is family, and family takes care of its own. Hall-of-Fame player Casey Powell, together with a close team of fellow enthusiasts, founded the organization after seeing too many teammates and young players face life-altering injuries and illnesses. He knew that the same teamwork and passion found on the field could be channeled into supporting these players off the field.
From its humble beginnings, the foundation has grown into a nationwide network of compassion. We are guided by three core values – Share, Support, Inspire. We share the love of the game with those who need a lift, support sick or injured players and their families during tough times, and inspire others to join in creating a culture of caring. Over the years, our volunteers and partners have organized hospital visits from lacrosse stars, delivered equipment and financial assistance to families in need, and hosted events that rally entire communities.
Our story is still being written every day. Every family we meet and every life we touch becomes part of the Powell Lacrosse Foundation family. We welcome parents, siblings, coaches, and friends into this journey with open arms. Whether you are here seeking help or looking to help others, you are an important part of our story and our mission.
Our Founder: Casey Powell
Casey Powell is more than just a legendary name in lacrosse – he’s the heart behind our mission. Widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the game, Casey’s accomplishments include four-time All-American honors at Syracuse University, multiple professional MVP awards, and induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He led Team USA as captain and inspired countless young athletes with his skill and sportsmanship.
But Casey’s proudest achievement is the community he’s helped build through this foundation. After an illustrious 15-year professional career, he dedicated himself to giving back to the sport that shaped his life. Casey has seen firsthand how quickly a player’s life can change due to an accident or illness, and as a coach, mentor, and father he understands that when one player is hurting, the whole lacrosse family feels it. His vision was to ensure that injured or ill players would never be left to face their battles alone.
With his leadership, energy, and genuine love for people, Casey Powell set the tone for the Powell Lacrosse Foundation. He is often the first to reach out with a hospital visit or a phone call, and he’s always rallying others to join in support. Casey’s legacy as a player is extraordinary, but it’s his legacy off the field – of compassion, unity, and hope – that drives us every day.
Mission and Vision
Our Mission
Our Vision
We envision a lacrosse community united by compassion and involvement. Our vision is to grow engagement and participation across the lacrosse community, making helping one another just as fundamental as playing the game. In this future, every team, school, and town develops a tradition of coming together to lift up any lacrosse family in need. We strive for a global culture of support in which no player or family is left behind.
Our Goals
Increase Our Reach: Extend our support network to more players and families across the country, ensuring we can be there for anyone in the lacrosse community facing hardship.
Build Support Programs: Develop and enhance programs (such as hospital visits, mentorship initiatives, and community rallies) that provide meaningful assistance and bring comfort to those dealing with injury or illness.
Inspire a Culture of Support: Ignite a movement within the lacrosse community to volunteer, donate, and advocate for each other. We aim to make compassion and support a proud hallmark of lacrosse nationwide.
Leadership Team
Casey Powell - Founder of the Powell Lacrosse Foundation
Casey Powell is a renowned lacrosse player and passionate advocate for the sport. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Casey has left an indelible mark on the lacrosse community, not only as a player but also as a mentor and leader. A standout at Syracuse University, he led the Orange to a national championship and earned numerous accolades, including multiple All-American honors.
After an impressive professional career in Major League Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse League, Casey transitioned into coaching and community outreach. His love for the game is matched only by his commitment to empowering the next generation of players.
In 2015, Casey founded the Powell Lacrosse Foundation, dedicated to supporting injured/ill players, promoting the sport of lacrosse and providing opportunities for youth players, particularly in underprivileged communities. Through clinics, camps, and educational programs, the foundation aims to inspire young athletes to develop their skills, build character, and foster a lifelong love for the game.
Casey’s vision extends beyond the field; he believes in the transformative power of sports to create positive change. He continues to be a sought-after speaker and advocate for lacrosse, sharing his experiences and insights to inspire others.
Join Casey and the Powell Lacrosse Foundation to Share, Support and Inspire.
Karsten Russellwood - President
Having witnessed lacrosse grow globally both as a youth player and through coaching and organizational management, I’ve developed a deep affection for the sport and its ability to unite communities. Growing up near Johns Hopkins University and pursuing graduate work there, I became inspired by the game’s beauty and the power of its network, which I carried forward into my roles as a father, volunteer, and business leader. Now, as President of the Casey Powell Lacrosse Foundation, I’m proud to combine my passion for the game with my commitment to giving back, working alongside a community of lacrosse legends to shape the future of the sport and ensure greater access for all who wish to participate.
Harry Mazaheri - Vice President
I first encountered lacrosse when I signed up to be the goalie on my college JV team, quickly transitioning from a walking bruise to a dedicated coach and promoter of the sport. Over the years, I’ve helped organize and take teams to four continents and dozens of countries, all with the goal of expanding the reach and influence of lacrosse. Passionate about supporting meaningful causes, I’m proud to be involved with the Casey Powell Lacrosse Foundation, which aligns perfectly with my commitment to growing the sport globally.
Joshua Tepper - Secretary
Growing up on Long Island, I developed a passion for lacrosse in seventh grade when I first picked up a red Brine SL 2 strung with traditional stringing. After attending UVA for undergraduate studies, I went on to medical school and completed my residency at The University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Now living in Deerfield with my wife Tamara and our two boys, Mason and Evan, I founded the Deerfield Lacrosse Club and am deeply inspired by the Casey Powell Lacrosse Foundation’s commitment to helping young players through the Legendary Heart Benefit Dinner and its impact on the community.
Andrew Chmil - Treasurer
Although I never played lacrosse myself, I’ve always been an enthusiastic supporter, cheering on my siblings and children from the sidelines. After earning my undergraduate degree from Florida State and a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Central Florida, I now have a son playing for the Snipers Lacrosse Club in South Florida. I’m passionate about giving back to the community, and the Powell Lacrosse Foundation beautifully combines my love for lacrosse with my desire to support those who need it most.
Gretchen Powell - Director (Operations)
Lacrosse became our family at a young age standing on the sidelines as 3 of my brothers pursued the fields and made sure to bring me along for the journey I saw what this game can change. Then became a lacrosse mom of 4 players now watching my youngest daughter love the game. Lacrosse is a family more then a game to me. the relationships and love and growth we have gained is absolutely amazing. I was also chosen by Casey to be on the sidelines since the beginning of the foundation and being able to see the impact that Casey himself along with the game can have on a player in need is nothing shy of a miracle moment itself. Seeing a players face light up by a visit from Casey or an ambassador as well as putting a stick in a players hand for the first time inspires me to want to spread this game and truly hope to make a smile last a lifetime
Chris Cortina - Vice Chair (West)
Growing up in the lacrosse hotbed of Baltimore, MD, I didn’t start playing until midway through high school, but once I picked up my first stick, my love for the game took off. After excelling in high school, I continued my lacrosse journey at Ohio Wesleyan University, where I expanded my network and forged lasting friendships. Now living in Colorado, I have the joy of coaching my middle school sons and their friends, and I’m excited to give back to the sport that has enriched my life by supporting the Casey Powell Lacrosse Foundation’s mission to help young sick and injured players.
John Cuckler - Vice Chair (South)
Growing up in Haverford, Pennsylvania, lacrosse became the center of my life from kindergarten, where I played under the guidance of Norm Treinish in the Ashbee Eagles Eye Lacrosse Club. After attending The Haverford School and Malvern Prep, I continued my lacrosse journey at Avon Old Farms in Connecticut, where I was recruited by top schools, ultimately choosing Syracuse to play for Coach Roy Simmons Jr. Unfortunately, a catastrophic injury ended my career however I’ve gained invaluable lessons in mental toughness and perseverance, which drives my passion to advocate for injured athletes through the Powell Lacrosse Foundation.
John Regan - Vice Chair (Stewardship)
With over 25 years experience in international, federal, state and local government as well as the private sector, I bring a unique world view to the operations and logistics of the foundation, having served on multiple non-profit boards. Helping Casey share, support and inspire the game internationally is buoyed by my time as a diplomat in the US Foreign Service. Raised in Bryn Mawr, PA and educated in Washington, DC, and London, I currently work in Albany, NY as an attorney where my main job is as a lacrosse dad to our 12 year old son.
Gianna Sgroi - Vice Chair (Programs)
I was introduced to lacrosse at the age of 11 in northern New Jersey, quickly falling in love with the sport’s competitive environment and earning a Division I spot at Brown University in 2008. After pursuing a finance career in New York City, I realized my true calling was to return to the field as a coach, and I now serve as the head coach of girls lacrosse at the Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit, NJ. Since being introduced to the Powell Lacrosse Foundation in 2019, I’ve seen firsthand how the Foundation’s mission has transformed both my athletes and me, and I am proud to have their spirit at the heart of our team’s play.
