Jackie Joyner-Kersee, six-time Olympic medalist and considered to be the "World's Greatest Female Athlete," will keynote the 2011 US Lacrosse National Convention on Jan. 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center. The annual convention is the largest educational and networking opportunity for lacrosse coaches and officials in the world.
"US Lacrosse is honored to have such a world-class athlete and humanitarian deliver the keynote address at our 2011 US Lacrosse National Convention," said Steve Stenersen, president and CEO of US Lacrosse. "Jackie Joyner-Kersee's accomplishments are extraordinary, and we're excited to expose the national lacrosse community to her inspirational message."
Joyner-Kersee was named one of the 50 Greatest Athletes by ESPN and Sports Illustrated for Women named her the Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century. Additionally, Joyner-Kersee was the first and only woman to be given The Sporting News Athlete of the Year Award. In 2007, she received one of the highest honors as a recipient of the International Olympic Committee's Women and Sport trophy for her active role in the advancement of girls through sport.
In 1988, Joyner-Kersee established the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Youth Foundation, which supports the development of leadership programs in urban areas across the United States. In 2007, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, along with athletes like Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Mia Hamm, Jeff Gordon, Tony Hawk, Alonzo Mourning, and Cal Ripken, Jr., founded Athletes for Hope, a charitable organization, which inspires millions of people to volunteer and support the community.
"Showing grace under pressure is a universal challenge for coaches, athletes, referees and parents in every sport," said Joyner-Kersee. "I am honored to share my ideas and experiences with the attendees of the 2011 US Lacrosse National Convention in Baltimore."
The US Lacrosse National Convention is the world's largest lacrosse-specific educational and networking event for coaches, officials, program administrators and lacrosse enthusiasts. The 2011 US Lacrosse National Convention will take place Jan. 21-23 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland's Inner Harbor. Registration for the event is open on US Lacrosse's web site at
www.uslacrosse.org/2011convention. 
