Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:12:57 -0400
From: Don Herndon
Subject: lax is growing all over
I doubt we will see lacrosse at the other Chatham schools in the near future, but it is eventually coming to many new places.
Most Guilford and Orange County schools play at the youth, middle school, JV,and Varsity levels. Smith High and Dudley do not play and they are predominately African-American. They are focused on hoops and football there. Quite a few African-American and Latino kids are starting to play at the county schools in Guilford and Wake.
It would be short sighted to prohibit the new Chatham school from playing because Chatham Central or J-M doesn’t play yet.
As for it being an elite, Northeastern sport, it did start that way. But when you see schools like Western Alamance, Eastern Guilford, and Triton (Dunn) fielding teams, you know it has transcended that description. When you see the new Gravelly Hills Middle School in Mebane fielding a fledgling team, you know the interest is there.
A lot of youngsters are now going to college on lacrosse scholarships, many more than five years ago.
It takes some interested parents and kids, a knowledgeable coach and the financial commitment to get the gear and equipment to get a team started. Some areas field a club team that draws from several high schools. They play a limited schedule and some tournaments to start. Later there may be enough interest for a single high school to field a team.
Don Herndon
Lacrosse Official and bona fide small town Southern Man
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