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A History from the Heart 18436_PB_Cover 10/20/04 5:02 AM Page 1 DREXEL LACROSSE A History from the Heart By WilliamWilliam ThayerThayer 18436_PB_Cover 10/25/04 10:54 AM Page 2 Lacrosse Lacrosse ...The Only True North American Sport acrosse is the only truly North American sport. The Native American tribes across the continent played lacrosse from the earliest days, but historians have been unable to find a ...The Fastest Game on Two Feet Lsimilar sport played at any other place in the world. Racket games were played in ancient Egypt and many games were played on horseback with sticks by the ancients, but none of these seem to be the roots of American Indian lacrosse. ith a history that spans centuries, lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America. Europeans were immediately fascinated when they first saw the Native Americans playing Rooted in Native American religion, lacrosse was often played to resolve conflicts, lacrosse. In fact, they traveled long distances to see the intensity and excitement of the sport Wheal the sick, and develop strong virile men. To Native Americans, lacrosse is still firsthand. Exhibitions were arranged in Montreal, Toronto and New York so that more people referred to as “The Creator’s Game.” could see the spectacle. By the mid-1800’s, lacrosse clubs were organized in towns throughout New York and the St. Lawrence Valley. The clubs played mostly against each other knowing Ironically, lacrosse also served as a preparation for war. Legend tells of as many as 1,000 that they were no competition for the Indian teams. players per side, from the same or different tribes, who took turns engaging in a violent contest. Contestants played on a field from one to 15 miles in length, and games sometimes lasted for Intercollegiate Lacrosse began in 1877 with a game played in Central Park between New York days. Some tribes used a single pole, tree or rock for a goal, while other tribes had two goal- University and Manhattan College. By 1908, the Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association teams posts through which the ball had to pass. Balls were made out of wood, deerskin, baked clay included: City College of New York, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Lehigh, University of or stone. Pennsylvania, Hobart, Johns Hopkins, Stevens Institute and Swarthmore. The Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association was comprised of just 21 teams when Drexel joined in 1941. The evolution of the Native American game into modern lacrosse began in 1636 when Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary, documented a Huron Indian contest in what is now southeast In the early days of collegiate lacrosse, players continued the Indian tradition and used no pro- Ontario, Canada. At that time, some type of lacrosse was played by at least 48 Native tective equipment. The lacrosse players of 1900 wore a wool game jersey in the team’s colors, American tribes scattered throughout what is now southern Canada and all parts of the United shorts and leather shoes. Thin leather gloves and a small cap with a peak to shade the eyes States. Fre nch pioneers began playing the game avidly in the 1800s. Canadian dentist W. began to be used later. Through the first half of the 20th century, lacrosse, football and ice George Beers standardized the hockey players began to use various types of padding and heavier gloves to reduce some of the bumps and bruises. Leather helmets became popular in the 1930’s and face guards were Baggataway game in 1867 with the adoption of set field dimensions, limits to first seen in 1939, though they were vastly different from the carefully engineered modern hel- Native Americans called the game “Baggataway.” But credit the numbers of players per mets which today offer “27 air-vent cooling and dual occipital lobe adjustment.” Jesuit missionary Jean de Brebeuf, who, upon seeing the game team and other basic rules. for the first time, observed that the stick reminded him of a Players in the modern era can con- The Wooden Stick - The Craft of the Tool Bishop’s Crosier. He dubbed the game “La Crosse.” New York University fielded the centrate on the development of When the Europeans first saw Native American lacrosse, Today some 180,000 males and 50,000 females of all ages are nation’s first college team in their game skills knowing that they are supported by well-engineered the players used a three-foot long stick with a small round playing lacrosse in the United States. More than 400 colleges 1877, and Philips Academy pocket on the end. The stick was used to carry the ball have men’s lacrosse programs involving some 25,000 players. (Andover, Massachusetts), equipment, dedicated trainers and and to dislodge the ball from the opponent’s stick. Over 100,000 fans now attend the annual NCAA Division I, II Philips Exeter Academy (New coaches who have a depth of Soon a more conventional passing game developed, and the and III Lacrosse Championships. Hampshire) and the knowledge in all aspects of the wooden stick with the long “V” shaped pocket became popular. The pocket covered about two-thirds of the stick length. Lawrenceville School (New game. Lacrosse enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the National To manufacture lacrosse sticks, the Indian craftsmen used the same bent Lacrosse Museum and Hall of Fame in Baltimore, Maryland, Jersey) were the nation’s first wood, leather and raw hide techniques that they had perfected in mak- where some 350 years of the sport’s history are chronicled and high school teams in 1882. Today there are some 400 ing snowshoes. The natural materials were strong and readily available. archived. Drexel University is proud to be among the programs Second growth hickory or ash trees were selected because they were represented in this museum and is proud to field the sport that college and 1,200 high school straight and generally free of knots. enjoys ever-increasing popularity. men’s lacrosse teams from coast to coast. The sticks were shaved with a sharp draw knife, and a steam box was used to soften the wood fibers for bending. When the bend was in the “Lacrosse combines the beauty of team play with the thrill of individual skill. It contains the proper shape for the pocket, the stick was tied to a board so that it rough and tumble of football, the speed of basketball, the endurance of a long-distance runner, would retain its form during the drying process. Others in the village and the finesse and skill of hockey. It calls for nerve, strength, adroitness and intelligence. prepared the raw hide leather and the gut used for the side wall and It rightfully has been called the ‘fastest game on two feet’.” pocket. Everyone in the village participated in lacing the materials to Dr. W. Kelso Morrill, All-American player and coach, Johns Hopkins University complete the manufacture of these completely handmade sticks. 18436_00_Foreword.qxp 10/18/2004 6:01 PM Page 1 Drexel Lacrosse: A History of the Heart by William S. Thayer First Edition: October 2004 18436_00_Foreword.qxp 10/18/2004 6:01 PM Page 2 Drexel Lacrosse: A History From the Heart ISBN 0-9762153 Cover design by Rob Babik of Design One Associates, Marlton, N.J. Printing by HBP, Hagerstown, Md. For Additional Copies, please contact the Drexel University Department of Athletics: 3141 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 895-1977 www.drexeldragons.com 18436_00_Foreword.qxp 10/18/2004 6:01 PM Page 3 Foreword I Applause from the Administration Joseph Jacovini, Esq. Anthony T. Caneris Chairman, Board of Trustees Senior Vice President n my eight year as the Senior ollege athletics is a vital part Dr. Constantine Papadakis Vice President at Drexel of the experience of an University President University I have seen and been American University. I C part of many changes. One of the n the more than 60 years since Athletic participation encompasses most satisfying "turn-arounds" I Drexel's first lacrosse team took not only the student athletes, but have had the pleasure of partici- Ithe field, the Drexel Institute of the students who root for them pating in has been Drexel's athletic Technology has grown into Drexel and their parents, friends, universi- department and its 16 Division I University, and generations of ty administrators and faculty who programs. Division I athletics in scholar-athletes have brought pride support them. The athletic pro- the 21st century is a complicated to our campus. Today, Drexel is gram at Drexel University, and in business, encompassing athletic ranked among the nation's leading particular lacrosse, represents the and academic excellence. But ath- doctoral universities, and men's purity of true amateur sport. As letics can also be the pulse of a and women's lacrosse are among part of the overall learning process, University. In this respect moving our 16 NCAA Division I sports. athletic endeavor provides invalu- to a new conference, the Colonial able lessons in good sportsman- Athletic Association provided Nearly 400 students compete in ship, discipline, and pride in Drexel University with a higher intercollegiate sports wearing the achievement. Drexel University has profile and more visibility. The Blue and Gold. They add to the the highest respect for our lacrosse most recent improvements at rich tapestry of campus life while athletes who compete at the Drexel Field are a most welcomed developing character, discipline Division I-A Level. and teamwork. Drexel is proud to addition to the Lacrosse program as well. offer equal opportunity to male Our University is proud and and female athletes, and is ranked pleased to see our athletic and But ultimately it is the people that No.
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