Rob MacDougall Memorial Celebrity Classic & Lacrosse Day taking place at TRAC on July 8

The Toronto Rock Athletic Centre is proud to host the Second Annual Rob MacDougall Memorial Celebrity Classic & Lacrosse Day on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

The reflective & fun-filled day celebrates the life of the late Rob MacDougall, one of Canada’s most recognized & admired sports artists and one of lacrosse’s most passionate, devoted and influential supporters.

MacDougall’s tireless grassroots-lacrosse efforts, specifically in the Oakville & Burlington area, helped the game revive & later thrive in both cities. Many of the players MacDougall coached have gone on to accomplished lacrosse careers at every possible level of the game, plus other sports as well.

The highlight of the day is the Celebrity Classic. Last year, the game featured so many past & present players whose lives were positively impacted by MacDougall’s kindness, caring and coaching during their formative years playing the sport he turned them onto. MacDougall hosted a similar celebrity game himself in 1996. Last year’s rosters included Toronto Maple Leafs captain and former Oakville minor & Mississauga junior player, John Tavares, current NLL players like Dan & Paul Dawson, NLL Hall of Famer Jim Veltman, and Toronto Rock Owner, President and GM, Jamie Dawick. Other Canadian sports celebrities like Don Cherry, a longtime friend of MacDougall, were also in attendance.

“It was amazing,” Tavares told The Oakville News last year. “Obviously, we are here for a memorial for Rob MacDougall, who had a tremendous impact on me.

“When I heard about the game going on and knew I would be available, it was an easy decision and obviously a blast.”

Tavares scored the winning goal in last year’s game, giving Team Blue a 10-9 win over Team Black (see both celeb-stacked rosters further below).

Put on in partnership with KidSport Canada, last year (through the MacDougall Family Foundation) $13,814 was raised, a total that would later help 55 kids play organized youth sports. The event will again raise funds for the extremely worthwhile and difference-making charity this year. Click here to make a donation to KidSport Ontario in MacDougall’s memory through this year’s event.

While the Celebrity Classic is the headliner, the day at the TRAC will also include:

8am-3pm
Paperweight Tournament

3pm
Ontario Junior Lacrosse League Rob MacDougall Cup: Burlington Blaze vs. Oakville Buzz

6pm
U11: Burlington Blaze vs. Oakville Hawks

6-10pm
Beer garden, live music and silent auction

7pm
Celebrity Classic

Make sure to follow the Rob MacDougall Memorial Celebrity Classic & Lacrosse Day on Instagram @macdougall.lax.classic. If you have items to donate to the silent auction, would like to volunteer or become a sponsor for this incredible event celebrating Rob MacDougall while also raising funds to help children play sports, direct message their Instagram account or email us at TRAC@torontorock.com and we’ll pass on your message. To make an extremely worthwhile donation to KidSport Ontario in MacDougall’s memory, click here.

Tickets are just $10 at the door, while kids 12 and under are free.