LA Coach Relocates Lacrosse After Fires Displace Families

Dayton Gilbreath didn't hesitate when wildfires tore through Pacific Palisades in early 2025, leaving many of his young lacrosse players without homes. Within days, he relocated team practices to El Segundo and Manhattan Beach so displaced families could still get their kids to the field.

But Gilbreath went further. He organized a daylong donation drive that brought professional lacrosse players together with affected families, collecting clothes, supplies, food, toys, and sports gear for those who lost everything.

"He reached out to professional athletes, community sponsors, and members of the community to gather enough donations to help support the affected families," said Tyler Tomlinson, a fellow Palisades coach. "It gave parents a chance to relax for a moment and watch their kids play catch with professional players."

The response mirrors how Gilbreath has approached growing lacrosse across Los Angeles since 2016. After captaining his high school team in Washington state and playing four years at the Air Force Academy, he launched a youth league in Okinawa, Japan that grew to over 200 players.

When the Air Force stationed him in California, he started the Palisades Breakers with just eight kids. Word of mouth grew the program into a year-round club serving kindergarten through eighth grade, with equipment programs ensuring no child sits on the sidelines for lack of gear.

His vision extends across Greater Los Angeles. Through his nonprofit Laxpoint, Gilbreath has helped build programs in Torrance and Gardena, focusing on reducing barriers so more kids can discover the sport.

He now partners with USA Lacrosse to bring lacrosse into physical education classes at local elementary and middle schools. He even runs clinics training teachers how to instruct their students.

"Dayton is a big mover and shaker with our P.E. initiative, as well as our initiatives in diversity and adaptive lacrosse," said Ronnie Morales, director of diversity, inclusion and opportunity at USA Lacrosse. "He's a connector, with his eyes and ears always on the ground for lacrosse."

The Ripple Effect

With lacrosse debuting at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Gilbreath's grassroots work is planting seeds across the region just in time. Every child he introduces to the sport today could become part of the next generation inspired by watching the games on home turf.

His strategic approach of spreading teams across different neighborhoods increases visibility in communities that have never had access to organized lacrosse. The fire response proved his commitment goes beyond growing a sport to caring for the families involved.

Those who work with Gilbreath say his reliability sets him apart. "Dayton doesn't just say he's going to do something. He does it," Morales said.

When crisis struck, dozens of families discovered their lacrosse coach would move mountains to keep their kids playing.