History of Lacrosse free essay sample

My research paper is about the history of lacrosse and its role in today’s society. I chose this topic because I enjoy lacrosse and I wanted to learn more about the historic sport. My goal for my research paper is to teach others about the sport of lacrosse and how it has evolved, while I learn more myself. The sport of lacrosse, with origins dating back as far as the 1100’s in Mesoamerica, is the oldest sport in North America. The sport of lacrosse was played throughout America and what is known today as Canada by the Native American Indians of all cultures. Indian lacrosse was a mass game, often played between two villages with hundreds or even thousands of participants. The goals were usually separated from 500 yards to ? mile apart. Occasionally games would be played with goals as far as 15 miles apart. Games would often take place in large plains. We will write a custom essay sample on History of Lacrosse or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A single game would last several days being played from dusk to dawn. The game was played with a ball made out of wood, deerskin stuffed with hair, baked clay, or a stone. The first games were played with large wooden spoon shaped sticks with no netting. Later more advanced sticks were created, consisting of a wooden stick with one end bent into a U shape that was filled with netting made of strong plant roots or large animal tendons. Sticks would range in length from 2-5 feet and would consist of elaborate carvings. A large Tree or rocks were often designated as the goals for most tribes. In Later years tribes would use posts 6 to 9 feet apart, which the ball would have to pass through to score. The object of the game was to pass the ball with your stick to your teammates and hit the designated goal or pass through the goal posts. Rules were that a player could not touch the ball with their hands, and there were no out of bounds. Passing the ball was viewed as a complex skill and that dodging your opponent was a cowardly move. In Native American lacrosse, there was no protective gear worn. Games were played for different purposes. Some were played to settle disputes between tribes and villages. Some were played to prepare young warriors for battle and war. Some were played as for recreational purposes. Most games though were played for religious purposes. Pre game rituals would take place the day before the tart of any game. Every player was required to place a wager. Such items wagered were knives, tools, blankets, clothes, and even women and children. The night before the game, a ceremonial dance was held. Players would decorate their bodies with paints and charcoal and dress up in ceremonial costumes. Sacrifices were performed to please the gods. On the day of the game, players would dunk their sticks in wa ter as a part of a spiritual ceremony. Lacrosse was played across America and what is now Canada. Lacrosse was particularly popular in Canada and around the Great Lakes. In 1636, the French Jesuit missionaries were the first American immigrants to witness a lacrosse game. One missionary named Jean De Brebeuf, was the first to write about the game of lacrosse. Brebeuf observed a game played that consisted of Huron Indians played in what is now Canada. Brebeuf gave lacrosse its name from the term Crosse, a term used for any game played with a curved stick. There first impressions of the game were negative. They were against this game because of its violent ways, betting took place, and that they opposed of their religion. Lacrosse was observed by other American immigrants over the years. Though the missionaries were against this game, other European Colonists showed an interest to this new game. By the 1740’s Colonists began to play the game. By the 1800’s Lacrosse many American immigrants in Canada were beginning to play the sport. In 1867 William George Beers, a Canadian dentist designed a more organized version of the game and founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club. He shortened the length of the game, created smaller boundaries, reduced the number of players, created basic rules, created the rubber ball, and redesigned and modified the lacrosse stick. Later that year the first game played under these new rules between Upper Canada College and the Toronto Cricket Club, who won 3-1. In 1869 Lacrosse became Canada’s national game. In 1867, the first international lacrosse exhibition game was played in France. Lacrosse began to rapidly grow in popularity by the start of the 1870’s and it has never stopped. In 1877, New York University created the first men’s college lacrosse team. By the 1879, 7 other colleges in the northeastern United States had developed lacrosse teams and created the U. S Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. They adopted the rules of Canadian lacrosse under Beers. In 1882, Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire was the first high school to develop a lacrosse team. Lacrosse in Europe Quickly grew in popularity. In 1890, the first women’s lacrosse game was played in Scotland. During the time, Men’s and women’s lacrosse was very similar in play. In 1892 the English Lacrosse Union was organized. John’s Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland developed a lacrosse program in 1893. Soon after many smaller colleges, high schools, and youth programs were created in the area. In the early 1930’s indoor lacrosse, (also known as box lacrosse), was created by some lacrosse players in Canada. Indoor lacrosse is played in a hockey rink, expect with Astroturf. Only men were allowed to play indoor lacrosse because of its physical nature. 6 players from each team were allowed on the field at a time. Indoor goals were half the size of goals in outdoor lacrosse, measuring at 33. Protective gear in lacrosse was created and required for this more physical type of play. This version of lacrosse rapidly grew in Canada, taking adopting outdoor lacrosse players. Soon later lacrosse gear was required for both men’s and women’s outdoor lacrosse. Protective gear included helmet, and protective chest pad and gloves. Over the years lacrosse gained momentum as more lacrosse programs were created across America, mostly in the east coast with few developing in the west. In 1971 Division I lacrosse was created, making an annual tournament. Later in 1980, Division III was created, and soon after Division II. Today Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America. There are over 4000 college teams and 5300 college teams. College participation has tripled in the past decade, up to 170,000 participants. High school has grown more than 400% in the past decade, over 180,000. Some of the top programs in division I include Syracuse, Virginia, John’s Hopkins, Navy, Princeton, Maryland, and many more. ESPN has recently been televising the Division I Championships. In recent years, the west coast has been an area of rapid growth of the sport. Many professional outdoor teams of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and indoor teams of the Major Lacrosse League (MLL) have been developed in the past 20 years, creating future play after college. Today gear is required at all levels and style of play. Gear includes a helmet, mouth guard, gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and a protective cup. Gary Gait, who is now retired, is thought to be the best lacrosse player ever. He played in the 1970’s for Syracuse. After college, he played in the NLL for over 10 years where he created his reputation. Today the newest icon is Mikey Powell. He also played at Syracuse and is currently playing in the NLL. Lacrosse has gone international into several countries across the world. Today many people refer to lacrosse as â€Å"the fastest game on two feet†. I find this true as each second is filled with excitement and you never know what might happen next.