The Georgia Lacrosse Officials Association (GLOA) is proud to announce the 2011 Ron Mallonee Scholarship winners. The Ron Mallonee Scholarship is awarded each May to a select group of deserving Georgia high school boys. These scholarships allows these young men to attend lacrosse summer camp where they can continue to learn and improve their skills.

A veteran lacrosse official in Georgia, Ron was a Charter Member of the association who passed away in 2004 after a brief battle with cancer. Long-time Atlanta lacrosse fans who met Ron undoubtedly remember his unique passion for the sport of lacrosse. His presence was welcomed on the field by coaches, officials, and players due to his outgoing nature, his enthusiasm, and his friendly demeanor.

Veteran Club Player Jon Ochsner recalled how unique Ron was. “Ron officiated our men’s club games by himself, which is unheard of today. He understood the flow of the game very well and always called a safe and fair club game. He always made a point to get to know all of us club players off the field.”

In his memory, GLOA created the Ron Mallonee Fund which annually awards camp scholarships to deserving high school boys who have a passion for the sport of lacrosse and a desire to improve. Since the Ron Mallonee Fund’s inception in 2005, GLOA has been able to provide scholarships to over forty players from the state of Georgia to attend lacrosse camp.

The eleven Ron Mallonee Scholarship winners for 2011 are as follows:
Jared Arntzen (Harrison)
Tony Battle (Whitewater)
Mitchell Beck (Lakeside Evans)
Andrew Bryant (Dunwoody)
Simeon Johnson (Decatur)
Blake Martin (Archer)
Christian Matos (Collins Hill)
Demetrius Milling (Druid Hills)
Chris Miller (Brookwood)
Scott Mudrak (Greenbriar)
Titus Zeiglar (Grady)

These eleven players were all nominated by their high school coaches and will receive their award at halftime of one of the two GHSA Lacrosse State Championship Games played this weekend.

“This is fantastic news and testimony to the Ron Mallonee Award recognizing deserving players, said Archer Coach Matt Jackson.  “This will go a long way not only with Blake Martin, but also for Archer HS Lacrosse which just finished its first season. Thank you!”

“Thank you so much for bestowing this honor on Chris Miller.  He is a well-deserving young man and I know that he will represent the Ron Mallonee Award well,” added Brookwood Coach Kris Muir.

“We greatly appreciate their generosity of the numerous lacrosse referees and the Mallonee Family that have made contributions to the Ron Mallonee Fund over the last few years,” said Georgia Lacrosse Officials Association President Sonny Pieper. “Ron would be so pleased at how well the sport has grown in Georgia.  Special thanks to Ken Lovic for hosting these deserving players at the Georgia Tech Lacrosse Camp.  I invite all lacrosse fans to help support a great and worthy cause by donating in his memory.”

If you would like to learn more about the Ron Mallonee Fund, please visit the GLOA web site online at GALAXREF.com and click MEMORIAL on the top right tab.  Tax deducible donations to the Ron Mallonee Fund can be made through the Georgia Chapter of US Lacrosse.

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