Allen, Helen

New York Women's Lacrosse
Forest Hills
2001

Helen Allen, a longtime official and club player, was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an outstanding player. She was also an outstanding coach and official, and has contributed noteworthy service to the game.

Allen played for the New York Women's Lacrosse Association for 35 years after graduating from Hunter College in 1941. She also served as the President of the NYWLA. During this time she played in the National Tournaments against Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Baltimore, Westchester, and Virginia, and against international teams from England, Ireland and Wales. She was selected as a member of the United States team from 1950-60. Throughout her playing career, she excelled at the Second Home, Right Attack and Center positions, and her great speed helped her to become a prolific scorer at all of these positions.

In 1945 Allen started her officiating career which continues through the year of her Hall of Fame induction, 2001. This past spring she completed her 57th season of officiating high school girls' lacrosse. Allen has officiated at every level from local high school games to international tournaments. She was not only a member of the United States Umpiring Committee for many years, she also chaired the committee from 1968-70 and served as a rater for National Officials. Additional accomplishments include serving as the umpiring chair for the New York Lacrosse Association, and serving on the Board of Directors for the Long Island Lacrosse Officials Association. Allen is a member of the US Lacrosse Long Island Chapter Hall of Fame.

Allen lives with her husband of 53 years, John, in Forest Hills, N.Y., and is retired from the Elmont School District where she taught Physical Education and Health for 30 years and served as the Assistant Superintendent for 20 years.

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