Sticking up for lacrosse

Some Gonzaga University lacrosse players are disappointed by Spokane's apathy.

Or perhaps more accurately, by its ignorance.

"Spokane is in the dark about lacrosse," says Chris "Keyshawn" Shogan, president of GU's lacrosse club. "Even our closest friends get it confused with rugby, and it's irritating that people don't know the difference between the two."

Shogan and his teammates are just several of many passionate lacrosse players in the area who want to bring to Spokane the same awareness and respect the sport has on the East Coast.

"The attitude on the East Coast is that it's a very serious, competitive sport," said Drew DeMarie, founder of GU's lacrosse club.

"They're worshipped like gods over there since lacrosse has been around longer there than over here," added Shogan.

For DeMarie, regional awareness of his favorite sport begins with the abolition of its worst stereotype.

"The stigma about lacrosse that has really bothered me over the years is that it's a rich kid's sport, since it's associated with the Ivy League.

"But if you look at its history, and even most lacrosse players don't know this, the Iroquois Indians used lacrosse as a means of combat and solving problems between tribes."

It was French traders who observed Iroquois tribes battling it out with two sticks per player and one ball made of rocks tied in deer skin. Play often included thousands of players at one time on fields several miles long.

This would make lacrosse the oldest team sport in America.

"It certainly doesn't have the draw of Monday Night Football," says DeMarie. "But as soon as people see a game, they get interested. It's a fastpaced sport that combines finesse with a lot of physical contact."

Watching a lacrosse game should eliminate its stigma of being a sport for the pampered. Senior midfielder Nate Lazenga, who also plays hockey, is quick to elaborate on the physical contact involved.

"Lacrosse equipment is so much lighter and flimsier than hockey equipment since you need a wider range of motion," says Lazenga. "You can move more, but it cuts down on your padding and protection."

"It hurts," agrees DeMarie. "Stand in front of a goal and take a shot by that ball. It takes a different kind of person to play goalie."

For Shogan, the physical aspects of lacrosse are superseded by the desire to play, which makes the sport accessible to anyone with the right attitude.

"I played football all through grade school and high school at Gonzaga Prep, and when I went to WSU, I needed something athletic to do since I wasn't big enough to play football there. I decided to play lacrosse, even though I had never played it before. I just picked up a stick, fooled around with it for a summer, and fell in love with it."

Shogan was fortunate to find his chance to play lacrosse, even though it took a trip out of Spokane to discover it. DeMarie, however, has played lacrosse since he was in the eighth grade in Denver. After high school, he brought his love for lacrosse to Spokane.

"I had such a passion for it that I wanted to start a team for the school," says DeMarie.

The GU lacrosse club is in its third year of club status, and its second year in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League. It's a 14-team league that includes, among others, University of Washington, Washington State, Western Washington, and Pacific Lutheran.

Since play in the PNCLL is for club teams, not varsity teams, it is not sanctioned by the schools.

"We come up with all of our own money," said DeMarie. "The school gives a large chunk, but it's largely driven through fund-raising."

The opportunity to bring widespread acceptance to Spokane is further hindered by the lack of equipment available at local sporting goods stores. Players have to order equipment over the Internet or develop contacts with store owners who will make special orders.

And that's one of many things Gonzaga University lacrosse club members are determined to change with their infectious enthusiasm.

"I look at this as an opportunity, since Spokane knows almost nothing about this high quality, virtual varsity sport," said DeMarie. "GU playing lacrosse is good exposure for Spokane, and I hope this tournament in the fall will get people to come out to our games, and generate interest in the younger kids around town.

"I'd like to offer a camp, maybe next fall after the season ends, for any interested high school students, charge a minimal fee, include a stick in the price of the camp, and get kids interested."

"I can definitely see Spokane embracing lacrosse," adds Shogan.

Spokane will get its chance when GU hosts a tournament Oct. 28-29 on Gonzaga Prep's lower soccer field. The university has invited WSU, PLU, Puget Sound, Western Washington, Boise State, Montana, and another team to be announced later.

After that, Shogan says the club has bigger aspirations.

"We have a coach with two little kids, ages 4 and 5, and they're always out on the field playing with lacrosse sticks.

"That's what I'd like to see more of in Spokane."

This sidebar appeared with the story:

SPOTLIGHT

Tournament coming

Lacrosse tournament, Oct. 28-29

Gonzaga Prep lower soccer field

Participants: Gonzaga, Washington State, Pacific Lutheran, Puget Sound, Western Washington, Boise State and Montana.

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