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Fun is No. 1 at Pacific Lacrosse Festival

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More than three decades ago, Dennis Yeatman was a Midshipman at the Naval Academy where he also played men’s lacrosse.

A pair of anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) surgeries, however, shortened his playing career.

Nothing has cut short his devotion to the game.

To this day, lacrosse is as much of a passion as anything else short of his family — wife Bonnie and five children.

In 2011, Yeatman founded the Pacific Lacrosse Festival with several goals in mind beyond the obvious competition.

This year’s three-day sixth annual Festival tips off June 24 and runs through the 26th at a number of fields in North County and brings together a record 172 teams.

There are 94 boys teams and 78 girls teams as the tournament, which began with just 60 teams, continues to grow.

From what looks like humble beginnings, Yeatman’s dream ballooned to 110 teams in 2012, 130 in 2014 and 155 last year.

Yeatman, 56, also saw the tournament as a way to help the Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch economies with great weather and a beautiful city to visit. More than 1,500 hotel rooms were occupied by tournament participants last year.

An insurance broker in the real world, he figures there will be even more rooms filled this year.

The only stipulation to playing in the tournament, and it’s critical for Yeatman, is that each player has fun during the three days, both on and off the field.

“We called it a festival because we wanted local players to face top-flight competition, but it has to be festive and fun for players and coaches and their families,’’ Yeatman said. “I go from field to field at Rancho Bernardo, which is tournament headquarters, just to make sure there are no problems and to make sure that the players are enjoying themselves.

“That message has resonated with everyone so far. It’s important to me.’’

Yeatman, a 1983 graduate of the Naval Academy who retired as a navy commander, also enjoys having his five adult children return home for the weekend to help with the running of the tournament.

All of them played lacrosse.

Oldest son Grant played at the club level at USC followed by younger siblings Caroline (San Diego State), Will (Notre Dame and Maryland), Anne Morgan (Maryland) and Jack (Providence).

“It’s a family event,’’ Yeatman said. “I love that they all feel it’s important enough to come home and indulge dad.’’

In addition to Rancho Bernardo, games will be played at Westview, Black Mountain Middle School, Valley Middle School and Del Norte.

Play will be divided up between five divisions.

“This is my own passion,’’ Yeatman said. “Not a minute of the preparation or the festival weekend is work to me.

“When we started this thing there were about six middle schools playing lacrosse. Now more than 100 are playing.

“This year there are kids graduating from high school that I coached as 10-year-olds. Some of them are the first ones in their families to graduate and lacrosse had a lot to do with that.’’

That’s why lacrosse has always held such a special place in Yeatman’s heart.

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