UNION, N.J. (4/30/26) - On April 4th, representatives from both the men & women's lacrosse programs teamed up to run the Clark Youth Girls lacrosse through an interactive clinic. The clinic included a series of fun drills and tutorials led by players from both teams.

This was the second consecutive year that the girls club, which fields 3^rd-8^th graders in the Clark and Garwood areas, attended the clinic hosted by Kean.
Head Coaches Alex Lopes and Sarah Lawshe both volunteered-on behalf of 'Kean's University Building Stronger' program. "KUBS' represents Kean University's Urban Communities program, which was implemented to introduce young students to higher education through sports.

Men's Lacrosse freshman John McCabe & Women's Lacrosse sophomore Emily Javick were among the student-athletes leading the clinic. Javick tallied 18 goals and four assists during her freshman campaign in 2025. She scored five goals in a victory over Delaware Valley, which helped the attacker earn Rookie of the Week honors.

"We worked on skills like shooting, ground balls, and passing, while focusing on the proper technique," said Javick.

When asked what it meant to give back to the younger generation after once standing in their place, Javick candidly admitted she lacked that kind of guidance growing up.

"I loved working the clinic—connecting with the girls and helping them fall in love with the game is what it's all about. As someone who grew up where lacrosse wasn't t a big sport, I would have loved something like KUBS around, so I want to give these girls an experience I never got to have."

What makes the KUBS program special is that it offers the opportunity for not only the less fortunate to benefit from clinics like this one, but also gives the volunteers involved something to reflect on and learn from.

"Our players gain a lot from it, said Lopes. Teaching the game, forces them to slow things down and reemphasize the fundamentals, which is great for their development."

As a freshman defenseman, McCabe is one of the younger Cougars learning to let the game come to him. Filling Tyler Nolan's shoes won't be easy, but the staff is confident in the 6'4", 220-pound Middletown product.
When asked about other benefits his players might get from this experience, Coach Lopes discussed the opportunity to give something back that was once given to you.

"Most importantly, we all had someone early on who helped shape our love for the game, and we want our guys to be that same kind of influence and to be a positive light for the next generation."