Paul Rabil’s parents played a crucial role in shaping his path to athletic and entrepreneurial greatness.
Paul Rabil stands as one of the most influential figures in professional lacrosse, having transformed the sport through his exceptional playing career and visionary leadership.
Born on December 14, 1985, Rabil dominated collegiate lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned All-America honors all four years and secured two national championships in 2005 and 2007.
He captured the prestigious McLaughlin Award in 2007 and holds records for most playoff goals, assists, and points at Johns Hopkins.
Rabil’s professional career spanned fourteen seasons, during which he accumulated 657 career points—a professional lacrosse record.
He claimed multiple Major League Lacrosse MVP awards in 2009 and 2011, along with three Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Beyond his playing achievements, Rabil co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League with his brother Mike in 2018, revolutionizing professional lacrosse by prioritizing player welfare and higher compensation.
His entrepreneurial ventures include Rabil Companies and Rabil Ventures, while his philanthropic efforts through the Paul Rabil Foundation focus on supporting children with learning differences.
Paul Rabil’s Parents Shaped His Path To Greatness
Behind Paul Rabil’s extraordinary success stands the unwavering support of his parents, Allan and Jean Anne Rabil, who provided the foundation and guidance that shaped their son into a lacrosse legend and successful entrepreneur.
Allan Rabil: The Sports Enthusiast Who Sparked a Passion
Allan Rabil worked in sales for an aerospace company and played a pivotal role in introducing Paul to athletics.
He encouraged his son to explore various sports during his childhood, fostering the athletic foundation that would later serve Paul throughout his career.
Allan’s belief in diversified athletic experience proved instrumental, as Paul participated in basketball, soccer, and swimming alongside lacrosse during his formative years.
He actively participates in the family’s business ventures and philanthropic efforts, serving as one of the founding members of the Paul Rabil Foundation in 2011.
Currently, Allan works as a Relationship Manager at the Premier Lacrosse League Academy, where he brings professional lacrosse players to communities across the United States and Canada for training clinics and camps.
His role involves coordinating elite training programs and expanding access to lacrosse through beginner leagues nationwide.
Allan’s professional background includes over three decades at AGS (an RR Donnelley Company), where he served as Senior Account Executive from 1983 to 2017.
Before transitioning to the lacrosse industry full-time, he worked as Director of Events for Rabil Companies from 2017 to 2018, helping organize lacrosse clinics, camps, and tournaments across fifteen cities.
Allan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Science Education, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to education and youth development.
Jean Anne (Ansell) Rabil: The Educator Who Insisted on Excellence
Jean Anne Rabil brought an educator’s perspective to Paul’s upbringing, having dedicated her career to teaching art in Catholic schools.
She worked as an Art Instructor at Mother of God School for nearly 35 years, from 1986 to 2021, where she served as Department Head and inspired countless students through multicultural art projects and exposure to various artists.
Her educational philosophy centered on imparting a love of art while fostering creativity and cultural understanding.
Jean Anne’s influence proved crucial in Paul’s lacrosse journey. While Allan encouraged athletic diversity, Jean Anne specifically insisted that Paul continue playing lacrosse, recognizing his potential and passion for the sport.
Her persistence in this area directly contributed to Paul falling in love with lacrosse and pursuing it seriously throughout his youth.
This maternal guidance proved transformative, as lacrosse became not only Paul’s career but also his platform for business success and social impact.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree from East Carolina University School of Art and Design in Art Education, earned between 1973 and 1977, where she was an active member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.
Jean Anne also pursued advanced education in sports philanthropy, earning a Certificate in Sports Philanthropy from The George Washington University School of Business in 2013-2014.
Beyond her teaching career, Jean Anne serves as Executive Director of the Paul Rabil Foundation, a position she has held since April 2014.
In this role, she oversees both strategic and operational responsibilities for the foundation’s programs and the execution of its mission.
She reports directly to the Board of Directors and manages the foundation’s commitment to helping children realize their full potential, particularly those with learning differences.
Previously, she served as Vice President of the foundation from 2011 to 2014, leading the implementation of strategic goals and objectives.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Paul Rabil has auditory processing disorder, a condition that made it more difficult for him to process auditory information and initially caused him to struggle with the educational course load at Johns Hopkins University.
- He was traded multiple times in the National Lacrosse League but refused to report to some teams (Edmonton Rush and Rochester Knighthawks) because he wanted to stay closer to his home in Maryland, ultimately finishing his NLL career with the Philadelphia Wings in 2013.
- Paul starred in a Disney ESPN documentary called “Fate of a Sport” in 2022 alongside his brother Mike, which was directed by Michael Doneger and produced by Matt Tolmach and Michael Doneger.
