The History of Lacrosse you may not have realized

Lacrosse is a game many of us may not be familiar with. Many of us don’t know that its origins either. The game of lacrosse has its origins with the Native Americans of Canadian and eastern United States. It is one of the oldest sports in North America. A version of the game originated in Canada as early as 1100 AD. It was a game played with a ball and a stick and would begin as the ball was thrown into the air and the two teams rushing to catch it. The game had important significance to the Natives of North America. The game we now know today was extensively modified by Europeans in the 19^th century.

Different tribes had various names for the game. The Onondaga called it dehuntshigwa’es or “men hit a rounded object.” The eastern Cherokee called it da-nah-wah’uwsdi or “little war.” The Mohawk called it begadwe or “little brother of war.” The game generally tended to be a huge mob of players, ranging from 100 to 1,000 men, and were major events which could last several days. The two teams were generally made up of men from opposing villages in an open field between the two villages. The rules of the game would be decided the day before. Generally there was no out-of-bounds and the goals would range from 500 yards to 6 miles and would be chosen by natural landmarks such as large rocks or trees. The teams would play from sunup to sundown. On the stick there would be placed a mark about chest high. Hits below the mark were not awarded any points. Hits above the mark were awarded one point, hits to the top half of the stick were worth two points and hits to the very top of the stick were worth three points. Also the ball could not be touched with the players’ hands. Scores were loosely kept by the audience or the players and medicine men would act as coaches.

The game would serve different purposes in the lives of the natives. First, it was used to settle any intertribal disputes. The winning team often brought glory and honor to their tribe. Second, it was used to toughen young warriors for combat. As the game could be played for days, it required conditioning and stamina that would be essential for victory in actual battle. Third, it was used simply for recreation. Many native tribes celebrate their heritage with playing the game. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy (or Iroquois Nation) is one example of the game as a time honored tradition. Lastly, the game served religious purposes. The tribes would play together for the “pleasure of the Creator” and to pray together. The game is known as The Creator’s Game. There were rituals before and after the game which were important. The players would decorate their bodies with paint and charcoal as well as decorate their sticks. There were strict taboos about the foods the players could consume before the game. Wagers would be made before the game. After the game, a ceremonial dance would be performed followed by a large feast.

The game was first observed by French Jesuit missionaries in the 1630s. They condemned the game, deeming it too violent and for the use of betting. Jean de Brebeuf wrote about the game and gave it the name lacrosse. He described the Huron playing the game in 1636 using the French term for field hockey, le jeu de la crosse. Despite the Jesuit opposition, the colonists were fascinated by the game. By 1740, many French colonists would be playing it. The interest in the game grew in Canada during the 1800s. In 1856, a Canadian dentist, William George Beers, founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club and is known as the father of modern lacrosse. He would further alter the game by codifying it in 1867. He shorten the length of the game to first team to reach 5 goal or lead by 3. He reduced the number of team members to twelve. He regulated the field to 200 yards. And he redesigned the stick and ball. The Mohawk Lacrosse Club in Troy, New York became the first organized club in the US. By the 20^th century, many high schools, colleges and universities would adopt the game as a league sport. It also became a sport for the 1904 and 1908 Summer Olympics but would be later dropped as an official sport. Today, an indoor version called box lacrosse is played by a team of five.

In conclusion, lacrosse is another example of the Native Americans influence on our lives today. A game that was played for the Creator, it has many purposes in the lives of the Native Americans’ lives and community. It served as training, recreational and religious purposes. For many Native tribes today, it is still played for the Creator and as a celebration of their heritage. Today, it is an organized sport in various parts of the United States and Canada. Lacrosse may have a French name but it is a Native sport at its core.