At OWLS, we engage, enrich, and inspire Chicago kids and communities through the power of lacrosse.
Together with our donors, community partners, schools, coaches, tutors, and, of course, our student-athletes, Outreach With Lacrosse and Schools (OWLS) is bridging the achievement gap for Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. We do this through mentorship, academic support, enrichment experiences, and one of the greatest games on the planet
With programs supporting students from third grade through high school graduation and beyond, we work with schools, community centers, and corporate partners to help make Chicago’s communities healthy, safe, and connected to the resources that help them thrive.
Our History
Lacrosse & Learning—a match made in Chicago.
OWLS—Outreach With Lacrosse and Schools—was formed in 2011 with a simple goal: to combat an epidemic of physical inactivity and lack of quality enrichment programming in underserved Chicago schools and communities.
It wasn’t long before we discovered how much more our communities needed—and how much more we could help them.
Lacrosse is an ideal sport to help address stress, accelerate learning, and build critical life skills.
Over the years, we’ve added academic support, field trips, career development, informed coaching methods, and more to help maximize every minute of impact on our student-athletes. In just 11 years, we went from tutoring and training 10 student-athletes to becoming a full-service, fully-funded 501(c)3 nonprofit partnering with five schools and over 250 student-athletes per year across 20 of Chicago’s most challenged zip codes.
We serve each student-athlete by helping them create the academic self-efficacy, contribution, positive identity, self-management, and social skills necessary to thrive. We partner with schools in underserved communities to support student access and success, from 3rd grade through life.
WHY LACROSSE?
Of all the sports to base our program on, we chose a sport predominantly unknown in our communities. Here’s why.
Because lacrosse is a community sport. This centuries-old game has brought—and continues to bring—people together from all walks of life and experience for a common goal (or two).
Because there is merit in starting from scratch. So many of our students start “in the hole” in other parts of their lives, but on this field and in this game, everyone starts and learns from the same place.
Because lacrosse is a game of clear and simple boundaries, rules, and objectives. When life is complicated, there are immense benefits to having a consistent place with a strong structure, support, and goals.
Because lacrosse catalyzes growth, wellness, healing, and connection. It fosters the development of critical life skills and relationships.
Because lacrosse was originally played to honor life itself. To that end, we play with a similar goal: to be part of something greater than ourselves.
Because anyone can play this game. And we’d argue that most people should. Because if they did, they wouldn’t have to ask.
We believe…
Lacrosse is an ideal sport to help regulate stress, accelerate learning, and build critical life skills. Teamwork. Discipline. Persistence and mental resilience. Physical stamina. Respect. Leadership. Fellowship.
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Staff + Leadership
MEET THE TEAM
Sam Angelotta
Executive Director
An Ohio native and former club lacrosse player at Indiana University, Sam first began to understand the intersection of sport and education through his work as a Local Development Officer with English Lacrosse Association (Manchester, England).
Angelotta started OWLS in 2011 after he returned to the U.S. and earned his Master’s in Education from DePaul University. During his research, he developed a passion for sports-based youth development and the emerging field of trauma-informed coaching. Soon enough the first OWLS site was identified in St. Malachy School (Near West Side), where Sam began as a student teacher. Following board development, equipment drives, and volunteer recruitment, the first OWLS programs were forged after school at St. Malachy. Eventually, Sam became a full-time teacher and the school’s first Athletic Director, running OWLS programming after school and on Saturdays.
In 2016, Angelotta began working full-time for OWLS in order to expand school partnerships, and improve educational and social outcomes for our participants.
Bryce Woodson
Chief Program Officer
A Hampton Roads, Virginia, native, Bryce first began playing lacrosse in the first grade. As a four-time letter winner at The Ohio State University, he graduated with a bachelor of science in education, while earning the role of captain for the 2011 men’s lacrosse team.
Bryce’s professional career began as a physical educator, and in the years since has coached at the youth, high school, and club levels throughout the country. He joined OWLS from the governing body of the sport, USA Lacrosse, where he was the Midwest Regional Manager. At USAL, Bryce led the delivery and implementation of lacrosse programs and services throughout the region’s massive chapter network.
Alyson Myers
Academy Program Manager
A Virginia native, Aly attended the College of William and Mary with a bachelor of arts in history, where she developed a passion for education. After her graduation, Aly moved to Chicago, where she fell in love with exploring the vibrant neighborhoods and experiencing the arts and culture in the city. In 2017, she headed back to the East Coast for graduate school at Brown University. Studying Public Humanities allowed her to work with schools, nonprofits, and various museums and connect with her local communities.
An avid basketball and tennis player growing up, sports have always been a large part of her life. Combining her love of education with her passion for sports, Aly volunteered for a sports-based youth organization for tennis, an experience that changed her life forever. Excited to move back to the Chicago area, Aly continued her work with museums and schools before joining the OWLS Lacrosse organization as the Academy Program Manager. When she is not busy at work, Aly enjoys traveling, baking, playing tennis and pickleball, and binge-watching television shows with her husband and two cats.
Ciera Smith
Program Manager
A Philadelphia native, Ciera first started playing lacrosse in middle school and fell in love with the sport. Ciera went on to play club lacrosse at the University of Maryland – College Park where she graduated with her Bachelor’s in English in 2014.
After graduating from college, Ciera moved to Chicago to volunteer, live, and work in East Garfield Park. Working with students and families on the West Side is where she developed a passion for education and working with kids.
In 2018, Ciera received her first master’s in Urban Studies and Youth Development from Eastern University and received her second master’s in Educational Leadership from DePaul University in 2021.
Prior to joining the OWLS team, Ciera worked in various educational settings in Chicago, including after-school programming, education policy, higher education, and as a full-time 8th-grade teacher.
Matthew Wegh
Program Manager
Matt is originally from the northern suburb of Deerfield, IL. Initially a basketball and football enthusiast, he started playing lacrosse at 13. After 4 years at Deerfield High School, he went to Illinois Wesleyan as a part of the school’s second-ever recruiting class for lacrosse. He graduated from IWU with a double major in English and Secondary Education.
After graduation, Matt taught English and Special Education at Urban Prep Academy Englewood Campus for three years while also coaching varsity football and starting the lacrosse program. He then went to De La Salle Institute to teach Freshman English, coach the linebackers for the varsity football team, and serve as head coach for the lacrosse team.
Apart from scholastic sports, Matt was also a youth and high school coach for East Ave Lacrosse from 2018-2021. He was a volunteer and part-time coach for OWLS Lacrosse as well. When he is not working with OWLS, he can be found walking his dog, Billie, or out somewhere fishing.
Our Executive Board
Angelo Calvello
President
Rosetta Analytics
Kenard Gibbs
Vice President
BET Networks
Lon Chow
Secretary
Method Capital
Andrew David
Treasurer
Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund(Retired)
Sam Angelotta
Executive Director OWLS Lacrosse
Pri Bhargava
McKinsey & Co.
Maggie Mendenhall Casey
City of Chicago
José Colón
SVN Commercial Real Estate Advisors
Sean Conroy
Grosvenor Capital Management
Kevin Corrigan
University of Notre Dame Men’s Lacrosse
Christopher Deutsch
Lofty Ventures
Michael Geller
GEM Realty Capital
David Mann
Lakewest Inc.
Megan McCann
McCann Partners
Liam O’Connor
Opal Holdings
Associate Board
Tracy Bonaccorsi
Fenwick High School & East Ave Lacrosse
Peter David
Guidehouse
Jack Fitzpatrick
JLL
Jack Gavin
DW Hammer
Mike Kakenmaster
Loyola University Chicago
Matt Kelly
William Blair
Dave Largey
AIG
Mac Mardjetko
Cressey & Company
Evan Mulchrone
Jellyvision
Matthew Mulkey
University of Chicago Booth
Sergio Perkovic
Goldman Sachs / PLL
Zachary Phan
Rush Street Interactive
John Sexton
Marathon Capital
Caitlin Shukwit
Freelance Event Planner
Marcus Williams
Skender Construction