Boys Lacrosse

Spring has sprung!  With the passing of winter and the last snows of early April the spring sports landscape has finally filled with athletes of all sports practicing, competing and having fun.  As I mentioned last time, March 26th was the date all lacrosse fans were awaiting with bursting anticipation.  The date came and went with no less excitement, challenges and uncertainty than was expected.   The season quickly moved from tryouts to practices to games in a matter of days…and the games have been fantastic.

The growth of lacrosse has continued in Minnesota and the talent of experienced players has also grown.  One can find Division 1 prospects prowling the fields across the metro areas, plying their talents for all to see and earning the respect of opponents, coaches and fans alike. 

It has been remarkable to watch a community so flush with excitement to get started continue that excitement through trying events such as last minute field changes, sloppy, wet, disruptive snow squalls and actual games with inexperienced participants.  Each game is a memorable one, not just for the players, referees, coaches and fans involved, but because it marks another opportunity for student-athlete development in a structured, respected and highly-regarded sport where, in years past, players may not have participated in any activity.  The coaches have worked exceptionally hard to develop not only this years team but also lay the foundation for a future of growing support and growing participation.

What once was a series of unanswerable questions about field space, qualified coaches and referees and impact on other sports, has now become the basis for some early conclusions.  Fields have been made available through cooperation and an understanding for the betterment of all athletes.  While the weather flirted with playing nice by dropping an 80 degree temperature on day one, we all quickly saw the mark of true Minnesota springs with 6 inches of much only a week later.  Those unfamiliar with lacrosse nationwide will take heart in our growing reputation as an area where weather will not affect our practices regardless of what falls from the heavens—much like Colorado, upstate New York and Maine.

For the past few years, the club organization (MBSLA) has put together a coaching clinic in the winter that has begun to show its rewards.  The coaches for our inaugural season have worked diligently to improve not only themselves, but their entire lacrosse community.  From my experience and those I’ve heard, the lacrosse fields across the state have consistently been filled with knowledgeable, respectful fans, players and parents—which can be attributed to responsible, dedicated coaches.

The impact of lacrosse on other sports has often been a touchstone for debate about the sanctioning of the lacrosse and one that has been considered carefully by Athletic Directors.  The true impact will not be felt for years to come but for now we are seeing participation coming from previous years club teams.  In the end, it will simply be yet another opportunity for students to grow and compete, something I’m sure we’ll all agree is in everyone’s best interest.

The new date marked on fan’s, player’s, coaches’ and officials’ calendars is May 25^th, the inaugural boys lacrosse state championship game to be played at Wayzata High School.  Each team has its sights set on that first trophy.  Being first at being the first is something all athletes strive for and appreciate.   That evening will not only mark the unofficial start to the summer, but it will also cement one team in Minnesota lacrosse history and provide a great goal for all other teams to shoot for next year.

In another remarkable sign of the health of the sport is the parity of the competition and topsy-turvy results.  Looking through the weekly Coaches Association polls displays an ever changing list of solid, well-rounded clubs all with a  realistic chance to stand as champions later this month.

Local media outlets have also embraced boys lacrosse.  With each day another article, interview or highlight reel is published.  Coaches and athletes alike have lent their voice and image to growing the awareness of the sport and the appeal to a general audience.  Each major media outlet as well as most stations have covered teams or the sport during the spring.  Highlights of fantastic goals (or “snipes” as the kids call them), huge saves and critical games have flashed across our tv sets or computer screens.  Lacrosse has arrived in Minnesota and folks are taking notice.

Where do we go from here?  Up.  We have the foundation and we have the battle scars to show where we have been.  From here the sport will continue to grow.  We will strive to increase Minnesota’s current numbers of All-Americans.  We look to increase the number of players that answer “Minnesota!” at D1 schools when asked where they are from.  Our goal is to increase the number of schools (especially out-state) who struggle to find fields for this new sport to play.  We hope to increase the talented travel teams that criss-cross the county in the summer bringing Minnesota’s own brand of lacrosse.   As coaches and the caretakers of the sport, all of these goals are ours.

Up.  That’s where we are going, so everyone hang on.