After 15 years of throwing balls to themselves, the Eugene Lacrosse Club (ELC) has gotten of  it's lazy butt and helped start  4 new high school  lacrosse programs!  Three in Eugene, and one in Roseburg. 

The Roseburg squad, coached by ELC Alumni Paul Bilder and Greg Stanko, has jumped in with both feet and joined ranks with the Portland area varsity programs.  They have traveled up to Eugene three times now and have shown they are not afraid to hit!  Their football prowess has helped them in their victories against the Eugene schools. Good luck Roseburg against the established programs in Portland!

They are taking it a little slower in Eugene, as this season they are trying to get up to speed with the Portland schools, and are only having informal games against Portland JV programs.  Despite this, lacrosse fever has spread to Winston Churchill, Sheldon, and North Eugene High Schools.  On March 14th, history was made when North Eugene, coached by current ELC players Peter Lichten and Rob Weiss, Faced off against Churchill's Squad coached by ELC's Jack Stodart, Brian Nagaski, and Mike Wadsworth.  Churchill's  extra weeks of practice showed in it's 4-0 victory, but I'm sure North Eugene will return the favor when they figure out how to shoot.  That's the problem with having a defenseman for a head coach!  The Sheldon's crew is coached by ELC's Ike Sanderson and Ken Reynolds, and look to get into the action soon.  The game, as well as earlier scrimmages between Churchill and Roseburg, and Sheldon and Roseburg were extremely well attended.  Local media has run stories and other area high schools are on tap to join the fray next season.  Yes, it appears lacrosse is here to stay in the Southern Willamette Valley!

Other ELC members have been assisting with officiating and organizing duties.   On Saturday, March 17th, all 4 schools converged on Churchill High School for an afternoon of drills and pointers from ELC players, followed by a full round of scrimmages.  The excitement has been contagious and the learning curve tremendous!  I strongly encourage anyone to get involved with a youth lacrosse program.  You will not be disappointed!