In areas where lacrosse isn’t as popular – commonly called “non-traditional” areas – most families’ introduction to lacrosse comes by signing their kids up for the local league. Parents often greet the coach with the same statements. “My daughter is new. I have never seen lacrosse. We know nothing.”
Their sole exposure to (and impression of) lacrosse is usually limited to the quality of the experience within the local lacrosse community. In addition, parents may have preconceived impressions of lacrosse as an “elitist East Coast prep school” game, or – worse – based on bad news headlines; neither of which are fair or appropriate generalizations.
The game of lacrosse has a long and interesting history that often isn’t shared. It is considered America’s Oldest Sport, documented as long ago as the 1600s, and originated with the Native Americans in the region connecting Canada and New York. The Native Americans call lacrosse the “Creator’s Game”. Tribal Nations played for a number of reasons, such as settling conflicts, and a game could continue for days over vast spaces of land and culminate with a feast and celebration. The game is considered “spiritual” and to be played for the “enjoyment of the Creator” rather than one’s own.
Although the game started in North America, the Europeans, specifically the French, adapted the game into a modern team sport format with rules, organized teams, and boundaries. William George Beers is often cited as formalizing the game in 1860 to the version most resembling today’s game.
The first women’s (version) game occurred in Scotland at St. Leonards School for Girls in 1890. The headmistress at St. Leonards, Louisa Lumsden, had seen a game while visiting Quebec. Years later, Rosabelle Sinclair, a former student at St. Leonards, established the first girls team in the United States in 1926 at the Bryn Mawr School for Girls of Baltimore City.
In the early 1900s lacrosse began to spread into the United States’ colleges and universities and ultimately developed into the game we know and play today. Lacrosse was an Olympic sport in 1904 and 1908.
Additional Reading – US Lacrosse https://www.uslacrosse.org/about-the-sport/history
Recommended Watching – America’s First Sport, 2013, Documentary Narrated by Mike Tirico