My first year with CLax is done. I got to a few games; reconnected with some old lacrosse friends; made a few new ones; got to do a bunch of the stuff I like to do; created more projects for myself than I had time for in one season. And I was reminded why I fell in love with The Creator’s game in the first place.
What follows is not something I wrote. When I first got involved in the game one of my players shared this with the team. I suspect it was originally written by a hockey player. And so, with apologies to the original and a little rewording…
Why do we play lacrosse? … from one of the boys
We are… the most intense, physical, enthusiastic group of athletes in the world. We would do anything just to be able to tell our teammates a great story in the dressing room. We live the dream until we turn 35 (or maybe even 40)…and then realize we never quite made it. Ladies love us. Guys want to be us. We are the soul of the universe.
We put on the gloves, strap on the helmet, grab our stick and walk on to the floor. Nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter that you failed a test, your family is being “difficult” or that you got a ticket on the way to the game. Your world is perfect for the next couple of hours.
Here’s to face-offs, goal & assists, overtime, penalties, hot sweaty rinks, early mornings & late nights, breakaways, suicides, going behind the back & around the world; countless hours of practice; big hits, broken sticks, new gear, dropping the mitts; coaches & trainers & equipment guys; adding the letter “y” to the end of everybody’s name; the word “****” (you figure this one out); pick-ups, stick-to-stick, miracles and most of all- the Creator’s game.
Why do we run back & forth every night; running so hard that we want to throw up? Running so hard your heart beat rings in your head, while your lungs are gasping for air? Broken bones, torn muscles, groin pulls and big ugly bruises. We play through it all.
Because we live on adrenaline; because the game frees your spirit; because the party in the locker room is second to none; because you are invincible once you step onto the floor; because one shot can make you smile all night…and for days to come.
And because the sweat hitting the floor is a rhythm to live by. Because it’s possible to play hard enough to leave all your worries behind.
Why would anyone push themselves so hard? It’s not for the money. It’s not for the fame.
We play because we love it…and that is enough.
Congratulations to this season’s winners, the Iroquois Ironmen. They did what good teams do. But also to every player who accomplished a personal goal; got to play with their best pal for the first time; learned a new move; played the game the way it was meant to be played. You are all winners!
And my personal thanks for all the coaches, support staff, referees, league officials, game day staff and anyone I forgot. You guys make sure the players get to do what they do and I know they appreciate your hard work and dedication. Having done team & game day stuff for the past 8 summers I have a real appreciation for what it takes to get a team on the floor.
But most especially thanks to the volunteers who helped for the same reason the players play…because you love the game just as much.
I look forward to my second season and getting a bunch of stuff on my “To-Do” list done. No games over the next few months but lots to do. Of course there will still be time for lots of lacrosse games and hopefully I will run into a few of you along the road.
