Our Journey

When Steve Holmes and Kevin Crowley launched Fusion in 2013, their primary focus was on running box-style training and club teams. But early on, they ran into two challenges:

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1. A lack of local box events for their players – At the time, most U.S. youth lacrosse tournaments were field-only, so they had to travel far (and often) to get real box competition.

2. A desire to control the quality of competition – They wanted tournaments where teams were matched by skill level, games ran on time, and officiating reflected the true rules of box lacrosse.

 

The solution was to host their own events.

• Initial events were small-scale box lacrosse tournaments and seasonal leagues in the Philadelphia area, using rinks and sportsplex facilities they already trained in.

• They started inviting other clubs in the mid-Atlantic who were curious about box, creating a “bring-your-own-pads” model before box was mainstream in U.S. youth lacrosse.

• Over time, they added field lacrosse tournaments to their schedule, using the same player-first philosophy: tightly run schedules, competitive brackets, and consistent officiating.

 

By controlling the event environment, Fusion could guarantee:

• A competitive balance that kept games close.

• High-level exposure for their players.

• A reputation for well-organized, professionally run tournaments.

That reputation snowballed — by the late 2010s, Fusion events were attracting dozens of clubs from across the region, and they became as well-known for their tournament operations as for their teams.