The Lacrosse Spotlight

Sparked by the recent Duke controversy related to top level athletes and their indiscretions, I started thinking about the damage that it would do to the sport, the representation of some of the nation’s top Lacrosse athletes and the impact on the boys that want to become college Lacrosse players. I then thought, "Enough people are already talking about the ‘damage’, what is more important is how small a group this is."

In fact, every weekend, we have close to 90 Lacrosse games in Seattle including both dynasties and diminutives. Some of these games and teams are highly prolific as Duke is in Division I NCAA, but most have nothing to do with winning championships or living in the fishbowl of public scrutiny. 

Most of these kids are out trying to get a of couple goals, and maybe some great checks landed, maybe a great save off-hip, maybe the ankle-breaking dodge or a shot on the run. That is what these players are focusing on, that is what we (coaches, parents, players) should focus on as well. The players I am talking about don’t get big crowds or streakers, the controversy they discuss purely revolves around team rivalry, and playing their best. What I am talking about is what Lacrosse is when it isn’t in the spotlight. These are the teams, players, coaches that continue Lacrosse growth, development, and passion. They may not even know it, but that is what Lacrosse is. The kids playing on the field behind the game, the coaches who are out at clinics fueling up to give more to their kids, the parents who drive their players all over creation to play. One example I want to use is a player from Eastside that I know very well. If my club team is short on players, and I need someone to come fill a spot - I’ll call him. I am taking a team anywhere, with Starz or otherwise, this kid wants to go. There is a clinic somewhere and his coach wants him to help out- he is there. This is the type of player who does not live in the spotlight, but deserves the spotlight. 

Spotlight also tends to cause the same problems we have seen in the past, or at least bring them to the forefront of the Lax culture here. Drive-by fruitings, missing equipment and jackets taken by opposing teams, streakers are all ever-present no matter how valueless or inappropriate. These, like the Duke scandal, should not be the focus of our spotlight. Rather, we should focus our efforts on kids who ask for a once-a-week special session to learn more outside of practice, the kid who shoots for two hours everyday on the backyard goal, the kid who restrings every stick on his team, the coach that has players over to his house to watch game film every Saturday. These are the Lacrosse envoys that grow the game and keep the spirit of what Lacrosse is, alive.