Reaching Out

Lacrosse has been a fast growing sport which is mainly played on the east coast of the United States. Lacrosse has been played since the 1630's by northern native Americans and was picked up and edited by Spaniards. During the early 2000's lacrosse started picking up in popularity by creating 8 national men's lacrosse teams in the U.S with the majority of the teams on the east coast. Now in 2016 there are both indoor and outdoor national men's lacrosse teams, with over 30 teams across the U.S. and as the sport grows the knowledge and origins grow with the sport as well. Like the Heisman trophy in college football there is a Tewaaraton Award which Is given to the best player each year. In order to get the award It consists of blocks,goals and assists. Tewaaraton was lacrosse's original name when created and to honor native american culture they hand out a trophy with a native american playing lacrosse. The Native American on the trophy represents the Mohawk native tribe which we one of the creating tribes of Tewaaraton. Lacrosse not only spread through major league teams but through colleges, Jr colleges, High schools and in some areas even middle school all across the United States. As a Football player You always want the hardest hit! The most touchdowns! and the most receiving/running yards. Lacrosse didn't get to me through the glory of playing but the history behind it and that they played for health and safety for there tribes and most of all to have fun and collide with other tribes each year. And when your on the field playing with that mentality it goes from "I want the most goals" to have a team of brothers who want to play there hearts out for one another making it less difficult and fun. Theres nothing better to do in sports than staying positive and working as a team.

Gate way

Once Medicine ball was taken and changed into the white mans way and given the name lacrosse it was no longer the natives sport. Now in days the game of lacrosse is played by many different ethnic cultures but is still mainly played by Caucasians. A sad story that also motivated me to play lacrosse was about three brothers from a native reserve on the east coast. In 2013 three brothers playing from the same native reserve and family are now playing for Albany college Also leading in the most points ever scored in a season and most scored ever. with over 200 goals in one season everyone's thinking of them as the top dogs, and it might seem that way as an athlete but as a human being they were hurt. Myles, Lyle and Ty Thompson throughout their season were given racist names by other college players for example " Wagon burners", "Pocahontas" and "Bucks". Growing up knowing  the true meaning  of the game lacrosse and being able to play with family and friends who love it just as much and then once old enough you get scooted by colleges that only want you for your skill and players who are only there to win. don't get me wrong everyone's goal is to win when playing sports but the way and reason your playing matters. Imagine finding out your culture had created a sport that was taken and changed and when you go to play it you are unwelcome and are given racial comments. enjoy the game of lacrosse but play with the mindset in which it was created and treat everyone equal.

Origins of Medicine Ball

Most people today haven't played or even seen the game lacrosse and in my four years playing so far I always hear people say "oh that's a white persons sports". I put a few minutes aside to look up where lacrosse originated from and found it to be a native american sport called Medicine Ball. Medicine ball was created in 1850 by eastern woodland natives which is now Canada. The game was played with sticks made of assortments of wood, horse hair and leather and a ball made of rubber or smooth river rocks. The game was usually played between two tribes on a field that was 6 miles long. The game was played with both teams in the middle of the field, whoever took the ball to there side would receive a point which ever team with the most points wins. whoever won would have there tribe blessed with good crops and hunting season. over time the game was modified by European immigrants which is now know as lacrosse. lacrosse is played with metal and plastic sticks, helmets and pads due to the physical contact. lacrosse was modified from playing on a field that was 6 miles long to only 100 yards. lacrosse is played with only 7 players on the field where medicine ball had 15-30 tribe members depending on the tribe sizes. It was the white man who took the game but it is not the white mans sport. Europeans used lacrosse as a sport and entertainment where the Natives used it to bless there tribe with good fortune and safety for there people. Lacrosse today is enjoyed by many and is spreading quick from the  south and eastern parts of Canada and the United States. please share this when you here false statements or for informational reasons and try the sport out for yourself