Founded in 2004 by Sam Bartron, Team 180 Elite is a premier Colorado girls' lacrosse club with 22 years of history. In August 2024, Team 180 merged with Urban Elite under the Team 180 Elite name, focusing on keeping teams together from middle school through high school. The program serves players in grades 1-12 from Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder and Colorado Springs, and is ranked girls #28 on US Club Lax.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE US
Why families choose this club
Proven recruiting pipeline
The club calls itself the state's top recruiting club, having placed hundreds of athletes in NCAA collegiate programs, including 12 athletes with NCAA verbal commitments in its 2023 class.
High-profile achievements
Its teams have earned notable tournament marks, including an 8-0 record at the 2022 Presidents Cup, while individual honors include Gia Bigelow being named 2026 USA Lacrosse HS Girls' West Region Player & Midfielder of the Year.
Youth development focus
Its Future Elite program operates on the belief that player development comes first, prioritizing local Colorado tournaments over extensive travel so girls can play other sports and be kids.
Expanded club network
In August 2024, Team 180 and Urban Elite merged into what the organization describes as a superpower club with an expanded alumnae and college coach network.
PROGRAMS
Programs
Team 180 Elite organizes its rosters across three tiers for grades 1-12: Minis (grades 1-5) focusing on learning and fun, Middle School (grades 6-8) targeting skill development, and a tryout-based High School tier (grades 9-12) centered on college recruiting and competitive play. Training is centered at Lax Den, offering one to two weekly training sessions from March-May to complement recreational play, followed by fall training from Sept-Dec featuring Sunday practices, indoor training, inter-club scrimmages, and local October tournaments. Winter includes an optional Sand Storm Tournament in Indio, California in January, while summer tournaments from June-July feature the WWLL, Vail Shootout, Western Shootout. For younger players, Future Elite Evaluations are held at Lax Den for graduating classes 2034, 2035 & 2036.
FallSunday practices, indoor training, local October tournaments and inter-club scrimmages (Sept-Dec)
WinterOptional Sand Storm Tournament in Indio, California (January)
SpringOne to two weekly training sessions complementing recreational lacrosse (March-May)
SummerLocal tournaments including WWLL, Vail Shootout, Western Shootout (June-July)
Primary training locations: Lax Den
TUITION
Cost to play
The club does not list any dollar amounts for tuition or fees on its website. Families seeking financial aid can consult the site's FAQ topic on scholarship opportunities.
The club is led by director Sam Bartron, a former All-England lacrosse player and U19/U21 England national team member who founded Team 180 in 2004, alongside director Alivian Jorgensen, a two-time All-American defender at JMU with collegiate coaching experience at Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Denver.
Accomplished staff
The coaching model features directors, age-group coaches, and collegiate player coaches, with former Division 1 players and All-Americans from programs like Virginia Tech, Denver, JMU, and Richmond.
Experienced coaches
Key staff include Director of Operations & '31 CoachHannah Mill, who brings D1 coaching experience at Xavier, along with Team 180 Elite '27 CoachLance Savage, a two-time All-American and three-time national champion at Hobart.
Specialized roles
Instruction also features Team 180 Elite '27 CoachJulia Ball, who was A10 Defensive Player of the Year at Richmond, and Recruiting AdvisorMegan Zeman, who serves as Director of Lacrosse Operations for Denver women's lacrosse.
Sam Bartron
Team 180 Elite Director
Founded Team 180 in 2004; former All-England lacrosse player and U19/U21 England national team member.
Alivian Jorgensen
Team 180 Elite Director
Two-time All-American defender at JMU; former collegiate assistant coach at Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Denver.
Hannah Mill
Director of Operations & '31 Coach
Colorado native with D1 coaching experience at Xavier; played D1 at Stetson and D2 All-American at UCCS.
Lance Savage
Team 180 Elite '27 Coach
Two-time All-American and three-time national champion at Hobart; founded Savage Lacrosse Camps and the Colorado Mountaineers.
Julia Ball
Team 180 Elite '27 Coach
A10 Defensive Player of the Year at Richmond; has coached at Team 180 for four years focusing on defense.
Megan Zeman
Recruiting Advisor
Former Denver Pioneers player and current Director of Lacrosse Operations for Denver women's lacrosse.
DEVELOPMENT FIRST PHILOSOPHY
Development First Philosophy
The club states its Future Elite program is built on the belief that 'player development comes first,' emphasizing maximum repetitions, age-appropriate training, and balanced childhoods over relentless travel for its youngest athletes.
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