The Southern Draw was developed, designed and manufactured by Steve Waagbo in response to his daughter’s (Kristen Skiera, Head Coach of Virginia Tech Lacrosse) request to build a device that would allow her team to better practice the draw. Her request was simple; provide a 4x4 wood post in a concrete block with a piece of plywood mounted, about waist high, to allow her draw specialists to practice against. Kristen’s dad, drawing on his Virginia Tech engineering education and 40 years working in the defense industry, believed he could provide a better mouse trap for his daughter and team.

After reviewing the limited availability of a draw practice device available commercially, he came up with a wood prototype which he believed would allow a player to practice against a machine which simulated the opposing forces and action created during the draw sequence.

A wooden prototype was developed to provide:

• Secure and steady base to resist the horizontal and vertical (upward) forces created by the drawer’s cross during the draw, with the ability to use on either turf or a grass playing surface.

• Easy interchangeability of different crosses to draw against without having to cut or alter the expensive lacrosse stick.

• Authentic replication of the feel and action of the opponents cross during the draw, focusing on pivoting the stick at the end where the opposing players hand is typically located.

After successful use of this first wooden version, work was initiated to design and manufacture a training tool that could withstand constant environment exposure and be more easily portable. The Southern Draw is what resulted.

This lacrosse equipment design and fabrication by Kristen’s dad follows that of the Lax Back in the early 2000’s, the first portable hard surface rebounder.

Proudly Made in the USA

All of the Southern Draw’s significant parts are made and processed in the USA. All labor associated with machining, welding, and coatings is performed in Southwest Virginia. Final assembly, packaging, and shipping is done from Southern Draw Lacrosse’s shop in Radford, VA at the Alamo Storage Facility. The Alamo is a converted hotel, originally known as Hornsby’s Hotel Court, built in the 1950’s. Famous entertainers such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley stayed at the hotel in its heyday as they travelled from Nashville to Roanoke and further north.

A significant portion of profits from sales by Southern Draw Lacrosse will be donated back to women’s lacrosse and organizations supporting women’s athlete mental health.