By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Thanks to a generous grant it has never been easier to try one of the older sports in the Americas.
In late February US Lacrosse, the national governing body for lacrosse in the United States, bestowed Elks Lacrosse Club a grant worth enough money to outfit 20 lacrosse players.
The grant could not come at a better time. The Elks Lacrosse Club is playing a high school schedule for the first time this coming spring, and purchasing several hundred dollars of equipment can be an impediment to playing.
“The process is brand new,” coach Tony Pegg said. “We’re just starting the program this year. It’s only high school lacrosse program in Walworth County right now, which is a big deal.”
The Elks’ high school lacrosse grew out of the youth program, which president Nancy DuPont said started in 2015.
DuPont said buying an outfit of lacrosse equipment can cost as much as $500. Players need helmets, sticks, shoulder pads, elbow pads and gloves to be safe while playing.
The grant from US Lacrosse means anyone interested can show up for practice, pay the $150 team fee, and get started. DuPont said the reception from the community to the high school-aged team has been cool, and she hopes it warms up.
“I would say slow, but positive,” DuPont said. “For those who have embraced it, it’s been a positive experience.
“I think it’s so new to the area that it’s taken a little while to get the word out.”
Interested players from surrounding communities are welcome to join. DuPont said it is accepted practice that anyone interested will affiliate with the club closest to their home. Experience is not an issue – it does not matter if you’ve never played lacrosse.
Lacrosse is relatively new to Walworth County, but has been exploding nationally for years. According to Coach & AD Magazine, lacrosse has been the number one new sport offered on the high school level from 2012 to 2018. Information for 2019 is not yet available.
According to US Lacrosse, Wisconsin enjoyed the highest percentage of growth in youth and high school lacrosse participation between 2002 and 2014.
Since 2001, on a national level, lacrosse grew from more than 250,000 to more than 825,000 players.
Elks Lacrosse is not recognized or sanctioned by Elkhorn Area High School or the WIAA. It functions as a club team, and competes in the Classic 8 Conference. Elks Lacrosse will play a junior varsity schedule for its first two years.
High school lacrosse is played on a field 120 yards long by 60 yards wide with a six-foot by six-foot goal at either end.
Players use sticks with a triangular head to carry, throw, catch and shoot the ball at the opponents’ goal.
Ten players are on the field for each team – a goaltender, three attacking forwards, three midfielders ad three defenders. Midfielders may roam the entire field – others are confined to their respective zones.
The Elks’ roster is currently at about 10 players. The team’s first match is scheduled for April 3 at home against Pewaukee. DuPont said she hopes to see at least 12 players on the roster by the first game.
Pegg said the team is always looking for athletes, and not necessarily lacrosse players. Pegg said athletes will improve in other sports due to the emphasis on vision and hand-eye coordination.
“It’s the fastest sport on grass,” Pegg said. “It requires a tremendous amount of athletic skill – from hand-eye coordination, to running, to physicality. It has all the sports combined. It’s got a little of football, hockey, basketball, soccer.
“It makes everyone better in all of their other sports.”
More information about the club and joining the team is available by emailing elkhornHSlax@gmail.com, or by checking the club’s website at elkslacrosseclub.com.
