Rooted in Native American religion, lacrosse, or "The Creator's Game" to Native Americans, is the oldest North American sport--many tribes used lacrosse as a preparation for war, with games sometimes lasting for days over a field of up to 15 miles--and is quickly picking up popularity across Kentucky, especially among middle school and high school students. But what exactly is lacrosse?
"It's the fastest game on two feet," said Terry Justice, lacrosse coach for the Lexington Catholic High School Knights. "It's a combination of baseball, football and basketball. Baseball because of the catches, football because of the hits and the offense is like basketball with passing. It's fast-paced, high-scoring and there are a lot of transitions. I guess it's also like hockey because of the constant rotation of players and the pacing. It takes a good deal of hand-eye coordination."
The game is played on a rectangular field (usually a soccer field) by two teams of 10 players each. Players use a long-handled stick (or cross) that has a loose-netted pouch on one end to maneuver a small rubber ball into the opposing team's goal. There are some variations from the sport's original days, like the amount of physical contact. Men's lacrosse is still very physical but, since the 1930's, pads and helmets have been implemented, while women's lacrosse permits less contact and requires minimal protective gear.
Because the sport is relatively new to Kentucky, area teams are governed by two organizations: the Kentucky Lacrosse Association and, more locally, the Lexington Youth Lacrosse Association, or LYLA.
"LYLA was formed several years ago and was re-energized by several of us after more kids became interested," said LYLA board member Mark Sievers. "About six years ago, a group of parents started a little instructional program for 3rd-5th graders--we named them the Lexington Lizards--a small group that got together to practice every Sunday. It got interest levels going for students from different schools and that little program became the seed that grew, the feeder system, and it grew and grewÖWe just went out there and were practicing, learning how to throw, and cars would stop to watch. I thought it would never work, but now I drive around and see goals everywhere. It's grown to about 500 kids and I'd say we're adding one high school [team] every year, maybe more."
Lexington boasts six boys' high school club teams including the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Bulldogs, Lexington Catholic High School Knights, Sayre High School Spartans, Tates Creek High School Commodores, Henry Clay High School Blue Devils, and the Lafayette Generals, plus five middle school club teams. The girls currently have one high school club team, Lexington Lacrosse, and one middle school club team, both countywide.
"Lacrosse [in Kentucky] has grown every year," said Andrew Tarter, who played college lacrosse at Sam Houston State in Texas and now coaches the Tates Creek High School Commodores. "It started off with 17 teams and with more visibility, games being shown on TV, and more kids are gravitating towards itÖIf someone is too short to play basketball, or too small to play football, all lacrosse takes is the determination to learn the skills of catching and throwing."
"Tates Creek started as a club team in 2002 with about 40 boys," added Lexington Catholic coach Terry Justice. "We'd be practicing out at Veteran's Park and other kids just started coming up and they'd be carrying sticks and want to practice with us."
Because so many kids were becoming interested, Sievers and several others re-energized the already existing LYLA to incorporate more club teams. "We formed the LYLA Board and went about finding the three things we needed: coaches, fields, and referees," said Sievers, who served as LYLA president last year. "Then what is really important to get a team started is to find a small group of dedicated parents to be a booster club for the team--they're the ones who really make it all happen."
Lexington's lacrosse teams start season play in the spring, ending with a state tournament (this year's will be held in Louisville May 16) and there are also summer and fall leagues. Games are played at various locations, depending on availability, and include area high school fields, Jacobson Park, Sayre Fields (out Richmond Road), and The Kentucky Horse Park.
"Our biggest hurdle is field space," said Justice, who also played and coached at the University of Kentucky. "Field space for this city is vital. If we can somehow set aside flat space for these kids, we will be served in the future--by keeping these kids occupied and off the streets. We already have players who have graduated and gone on to play in college then come back to coach. It's cool to watch them and they do it because someone gave them an opportunity."
Justice went on to say that Kentucky's players have formed sort of a fraternity, with everyone knowing everyone. Sievers added how much fun this type of camaraderie makes the season. "All of the coaches are good friends," said Sievers. "It's competitive but there's a lot of strategizing as well. It's funny, these coaches, a lot of them are the same guys who used to play together and against each otherÖin Indiana, Kentucky, Lexington and Louisville, and we still stay in touch. We compare notes on how to coach, ref and run games and leagues."
Many of the association's players have gone on to play lacrosse in college, a feeding process that both Justice and Sievers say is critical to the growth of the sport. "It's only getting better and players are just getting better," said Justice. "Bellarmine University in Louisville is a Division I program and I see us continuing to feed these programsÖwe may not be KHSAA (Kentucky High School Athletic Association) accredited but coaches know to watch us for players. We've had several players get scholarships and we've had a 2006 national All American player, Logan Ott, from Lexington Catholic, who now attends UK and serves as my assistantÖit's just been a great opportunity for these kids."
Justice compares lacrosse's growth in Kentucky to soccer in the 1970s. "I saw soccer grow from nothing to what it is today," he said. "We are walking down that same pathÖI see us becoming a KHSAA sport in the next five years and really making a name for ourselves. It's not going away, it's only going to get better."
For more information, visit www.lexkylacrosse.com or www.kylax.org.