The Scott A. Shemenski Memorial Foundation was established in late 2001 after the passing of Scott Shemenski to continue the legacy he had created during his lifetime. Shemenski was an avid lacrosse player, promoter and coach in Rhode Island, whose actions have lead to the growth of the sport around the state. He founded Rhode Island’s first official youth lacrosse league in the early 1990’s, while also establishing a club team for adults. Additionally, Shemenski organized and managed summer and winter leagues providing people with yearlong access to the sport. By the mid-1990’s interest in lacrosse grew to the point where other leagues were able to branch off from Shemenski’s original Rhode Island Youth Lacrosse League; although, he remained deeply involved in the West Bay league. However, in 1997 Shemenski was diagnosed with Leukemia, which caused him to shift focus from the youth level to high school. He took the Junior Varsity coaching position at Bishop Hendricken High School in 1998 and was soon promoted to the head Varsity coach. In his first year as head coach he led the Hawks to a birth in the state championship, though it would be his last year of coaching due to complications with his illness. While coaching at Hendricken, Shemenski further aided in the establishment of lacrosse as a high school interscholastic league sport and served on the Rhode Island Lacrosse governing board. During his lifetime, Shemenski was a tireless promoter of lacrosse throughout Rhode Island and has been created with much of the sport’s growth.

Today, the Foundation instituted in Shemenski’s name and memory extends the efforts started by him nearly two decades ago. Through constant donations and fundraising events, such as memorial golf outings and lacrosse games, the foundation has been able to financially assist countless boys and girls youth, middle school and high school lacrosse programs. The focus of the Foundation is to help stimulate the growth of Rhode Island lacrosse by monetarily assisting in the creation of new programs. The Shemenski Foundation is proud of its work and accomplishments in preserving the legacy of Scott Shemenski and is always continually striving to advance Rhode Island lacrosse.