World Lacrosse Partners with Turning Stone Resort Casino

Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, has joined the upcoming 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships as an official event partner and will host four games at the Mary C. Winder Community Center, the Oneida Indian Nation’s new 90,000-square-foot community center.

The September 20–29 world championship event will including 133 games played with 38 nationals teams. The Mary C. Winder Community Center will host games on September 24 between the Canada and Ireland women, the Netherlands and Haudenosaunee women, the Haudenosaunee versus England men and the USA and Canada men.

“The Oneida people consider the game of lacrosse to be a gift from the Creator,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation representative and Turning Stone Enterprises chief executive officer. “We know that our ancestors would feel incredible pride that Native athletes and non-Native athletes alike from across the world will be playing the Creator’s game on our homelands.”

The Utica University Nexus Center will serve as the tournament hub. The Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium will also host a full slate of games, including the opening night and gold-medal matches.

“We are proud to partner with Turning Stone for another world championship and to showcase the best lacrosse players in the world in our county,” said Robert Esche, Utica 2024 Organizing Committee chair. “These games at the Mary C. Winder Community Center will continue to showcase our county as one of the best sports destinations in the Northeast and highlight the amazing facilities created here by the Oneida Indian Nation.”

Named after Oneida Indian Nation member and Native American activist Mary C. Winder, the Community Center features a gym, pool and a state-of-the-art field house that will be utilized for the world championship.

“The World Lacrosse Box Championships are going to be another marquee international sporting event for Oneida County,” said Anthony Picente Jr., Oneida County executive. “The tradition of lacrosse runs deep in the culture of the Oneida Indian Nation and I’m thrilled that our strong county partner will play host to a series of games and that Turning Stone will host the official post-championship celebration.”