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With a history that spans centuries, Lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America. Rooted in Native American Religion, Lacrosse was often played to resolve Land and War Conflicts, Heal the sick, and develop strong tribal unity. To Native Americans, Lacrosse is still referred to as "The Creator's Game."
Ironically, Lacrosse also served as a preparation for War. Legend tells of as many as 1,000 players per side, from the same or different tribes, who took turns engaging the in a violent contest. Contestants played on a field from 1 to 15 miles in length, and games sometimes lasted for days. Some tribes used a single pole, tree or rock for a goal. while other tribes had two goalposts through which the ball had to pass. Balls were made out of wood, deerskin, baked clay or stone.
The evolution of the Native American game into modern Lacrosse began in 1636 when Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit Missionary, documented a Huron contest in what is now southeast Ontario, Canada. At that time, some type of Lacrosse was played by at least 48 Native American tribes scattered throughout what is now southern Canada and all parts of the United States. French pioneers began playing the game avidly in the 1800's. Canadian Dentist W. George Beers standardized the game in 1867 with the adoption of set field dimensions, limits to the number of players per team and other basic rules.
The United States first fielded the Nation's 1st College team in 1877, and shortly after in 1882 the 1st High School team was formed. There are 400 college and 1,200 High School Men's Lacrosse Teams from coast to coast, and the numbers keep rising at a rapid pace. It is the fastest growing sport in the Country.
