SimplyLacrosse.com wants to congratulate Team USA in winning the FIL Men's World Lacrosse Championship for 2010 by a score of 12-10.

The game was an epic battle that was extremely fun to watch. Ultimately it seemed that the speed of the US prevailed against the apparently larger more physical Canadians.

Ir was a terrific game to watch for those who were lucky enough to be there in Manchester England, or who watched on ESPU in the US.

Unfortunately, the overall tournament was slightly tainted by the politics surrounding the very talented Iroquois Nations team not participating due to Passport issues.  Although they could have participated with US or Canadian passports, SimplyLacrosse supports their decision not to participate in protest of their paperwork/passports being rejected. It is truly unfortunate, because the world of Lacrosse, and the event was not better off for their absence.

This was the first effort of the Newly merged Mens and Womens International Organization the Federations of International Lacrosse (FIL).
I think that it was very good for Lacrosse, and I look forward to the 2014 Mens championships in Denver Colorado.

Four years is too long too wait. See ya then.

Institution - Location - Team Name - Affiliation - Enrollment
Adrian College - Adrian, Mich - Bulldogs - Private/Methodist - 1,400
Albion College - Albion, Mich - Britons - Private/Methodist - 1,805
Aurora University - Aurora, Ill - Spartans - Private/Non-sectarian - 1,685
Carthage College - Kenosha, Wisc - Red Men - Private/Lutheran - 2,188
Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisc - Falcons - Private/Lutheran - 1,608
Fontbonne University - St. Louis, Missouri - Griffins - Private/Catholic - 2,924
Hanover College - Hanover, Indiana - Panthers - Private/Presbyterian - 975
Milwaukee School of Engineering - Milwaukee, Wisc - Raiders - Private - 1,929
College of Mount St. Joseph - Cincinnati, Ohio - Lions - Private/Catholic - 1,334
Trine University - Angola, Indiana - Thunder - Private/Non-sectarian - 1,111

Disclaimer: The author of this post represents Champion Athleticwear.

It’s apparent to anyone that follows modern sports - whether intensely or casually – that the priorities of many athletes have changed over the years. Growing up, many of us were taught that sportsmanship, integrity and respect for the game were the most important things in sports. Winning and losing were the byproducts of competing, a secondary concern.

Just looking at examples from recent weeks though, it appears naïve to think that winning hasn’t become the top priority for the majority of pro athletes. The biggest sporting event in the entire world this summer, the World Cup, was filled with sportsmanship issues: controversial and unsportsmanlike plays, the unwillingness of the Brazilian team to shake hands with the Dutch following a quarterfinal loss and then the Dutch themselves playing an overly aggressive game in the Championship, leading to a record number of yellow cards.

It appears many of the ideals preached to young athletes are no longer fully practiced at the highest level of sport. Why is this such a problem? Because the exhilaration of winning has, at times, replaced the exhilaration of playing for the simple love of the game.

A survey conducted by Champion and NAYS (the National Alliance for Youth Sports) reveals a growing sentiment that winning has overtaken fair play and sportsmanship. A few key stats from the survey include: 73% of respondents indicated their athletic peers believe it’s cheating only if they’re caught, 79% say showing good sportsmanship doesn’t seem to be as important to athletes as it used to be and 81% agree that athletes today would rather win the game than play completely fairly.

Lacrosse, unfortunately, isn’t immune. Slashes aimed just beyond the reach of pads and blindside hits with no regard for safety of opposing players aren’t new to the game, but continue to demonstrate issues with players respecting each other and the game at the higher levels of the sport. Like other youth sports, young lacrosse players can get caught up in a world where winning is prioritized over good sportsmanship and fair play.  With the world championship going on now, it’s a great time to encourage a sportsmanship renaissance in lacrosse and all sports.

You can help by submitting to the Athletes’ Creed at www.Facebook.com/Champion where partners, such as Steve Stenersen of US Lacrosse, have submitted a set of athletic principles they think should be of utmost importance, particularly amongst amateur athletes. You can vote on these principles as well as submit your own at through August 6th.

The problems in modern sports are certainly troubling, but they’re hardly incurable. Please check out the Athletes’ Creed and get involved. Be a part of a new generation of athletes that refuses to be defined by wins and losses.

I'm new at Lacrosse and I am looking for a beginner league or club to play. Anyone have any information, please contact me.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed all of the 2010 Lacrosse Tournament action, and there was some truly exceptional lacrosse played. There were as always some very interesting upsets, and the tournaments were great. I am very proud to be a lacrosse fan. All the teams, families, and fans that participated should be proud too.

I just wanted to send out a thank you to everyone who visits and supports this website. It was a phenomenal season and the SimplyLacrosse.com continues to grow off the charts in terms of traffic.  I thank you all for that. Congrats to this weekends NCAA tournament winners Duke on the mens side in a terrific OT win over Notre Dame, and Maryland ended North Westerns Streak on the womens side in another very entertaining  game.

Congrats as well to the MCLA tourney winners Michigan in D1 and St Thomas in D2. The MCLA tournament in Colorado was also fantastic. The MCLA universities and alumni and families should be very proud of your teams as well. Nicely done! 

In the WDIA Womans Division Intercollegiate Associates Colorado St D1 and UC Berkley D2 won the womens tournaments.

In the NCLL congratulations are in order for Salisbury and Cortland who won their respective division titles.

I am looking forward to the MLL cranking up, This summers FIL world championships, and the many summer camps and tournaments. Make sure you all get your tournaments listed here at the home of youth and high school Lacrosse SimplyLacrosse.com 

Thanks to all, nicely done!

Well the season is here - FINALLY! things at SimplyLacrosse.com are full steam ahead. I want to thank all of our new members for joining the community here at Stickbrain Village.  Please feel free to speak up. Ask questions, post your info about your teams here. We want to know whats going on in your lacrosse lives.  We have lots of new faces. This is a new application for us this year and we have pretty much worked out the bugs i think. Now lets here what you are up to.

I would love to get some new blog posts going about your teams. Just leave us a note about how things are going. Who is playing well. Who is not. What are your big games coming up? What do you guys need.  I get lots of personal messages from peeps but I would love to get some more public blogging going on here. There are lessons to learn for us all and people do like to read these, so help me out if you have the desire.  I'm looking for a few of our veterans from last year and new members to speak up. Tell us about your club, league, business, whatever.

Ok I think I said that at least three times. I will leave you alone now lol.

Good luck,

Jamey

Well I was fortunate enough to spend the day at the LXMPRO 949 event in Southern California last night. I have to say I loved it.  Very nice first effort.  I can only imagine that the show will improve with time. I have to emphasize that this is pure show.  And I think it has the potential to do very well. Good entertainment, great lacrosse, and a terrific time. There was a little chaos getting in before the STX exhibition which is to be expected with any first event.  But the LXM team stepped up. They got the kids in just in time to to participate in the Kyle Harrison STX Clinic. The messages by the STX team were first rate. I would love to see more hands on. Let the kids participate.  A longer clinic would of been awesome, but I cant complain. I learned a few things and the kids were riveted.  Was well worth the 20 bucks just to see the clinic.

Early in the day there was a casting call to participate in upcoming Hollywood sports projects by the same sports casting agent that cast the movie Waterboy, we are Marshall, among others.  I missed that but two people from among hundreds were selected and will participate in an upcoming project.

Then in the early afternoon the STX Clinic was the psuedo start of the event.  Most people showed up for the Clinic around 2:00 PM. Many kids brought their sticks only to learn that the clinic was really a demonstration by Kyle Harrison and the boys from STX. There was some confusion and frustration by the mix up. But in my opinion the LXM guys did everything they could to make it good. The kids were well taken care of. I was impressed by the way the team stepped up.

Following the STX clinic there was a very entertaining MCLA College game between MCLA Rank 2 Powerhouse Chapman University and up and coming University of California Santa Barbara UCSB. The game would have probably been very entertaining except for one glaring fact. A brilliant kid named Connor Martin from Chapman who was clearly in a league all his own scoring 8 goals by himself and the first 3 in the first few minutes of the game. UCSB had no answer for him. I have not seen one player so dominate an opponent in a long time. If you take Connor out of the game it was  a pretty good contest for an exhibition Fall Ball game. Both teams had some things to work on and learned some things I'm sure, but the contest and the play was very entertaining for an off season Lacrosse game. The MCLA should be very proud and I think both teams will fair well in the regular season. Chapman won the game handily 18-9 but it was a fun time for sure.

Following the MCLA game the LXMPro game followed. I can say nothing but these guys are the Pinnacle of Lacrosse in the world. It was a very good game. It was very high level competition and I would of paid the $20.00 to just see that game. with every possesion I was saying Damn. These guys are good. Terrific Goal keeping. Terrific play at every level. I love this game and have watched a lot of Lacrosse, but I was nothing but impressed. I love watching guys who are so full of passion. To play a game that doesn't matter. I'm sure for just a few dollars. Just for the joy of playing. And to play at such a high level.  With so much pride and passion. These guys deserve our admiration and support. It really doesn't matter who won the Game. I think it was team Cascade, but the real winners were us. Those of us in the stands who got to watch these guys do their thing.

Following all of the Lacrosse was a very well done concert. I mean again. The concert alone was worth the $20.oo. I would have been happy with the concert on its own.

I have to say that this event was so well done. VERY family friendly. Bring the kids. Bring the wife. Bring your friends who know nothing about our amazing sport. I was proud to be a Lacrosse Enthusiast last night. There were no incidents that I saw. It was the true spirit of what the Lacrosse community is all about. Good family fun entertainment. I also want you to know that SimplyLacrosse.com is in no way associated with this group. And we earned nothing from them. This is not an advertisement. I have posted this info and advertised their event for free, because I want them to succeed. This is nothing but good for our sport. And this event was truly first rate. I will for sure again pay my money to enjoy it. If you want first rate Lacrosse entertainment. This is it. I hope you get a chance to enjoy it too.  

Way to Go Guys! Hats off.

Laxman

After much scouting in the Dallas area, I have found that with a new coaching staff and a young nucleus of players, Allen lacrosse is becoming a threat to not only division 2 teams, but division 1 teams as well. Watching them compete against South Lake Carroll ( a division one school) last weekend, I  noticed that their endurance, and agility are their strong suits in their gameplay. But such a multifarious team like this needs to be practicing more on their offense which i happened to notice was a bit sloppy and was rushed more often then not. With such a young, talented team that seems like an easy fix with some minor practice changes.

On another note

Talking across scouting news forums, many recruiters have ideas of prospects such as Zach Rehmert, Matt Mcgrath, and Steven Farrell becoming walk on members of some of the top division one schools in the Big East Conference. But the real question is if they have what it takes to play at this level coming from a high school in Texas.

First let me apologize for the considerable gap since my last blog.   It is inexcusable, but I have a few excuses...   Seriously though, I will try to post more frequently.

In my last blog I mentioned the Central Iowa Lacrosse Association's  box lacrosse league.  This past Thursday night saw the opening games of the inaugural season.  I have to admit upfront that I was almost as nervous as my wedding day through both games - including when I was playing.  For once it had nothing to do with my ability (or general lack thereof); rather, I was worried about the league as a whole.

You see, I just started really getting into lacrosse last October.  I had watched lax on TV and stuff, but last fall was when I finally decided I wanted to learn how to play.  But you already know that from my last blog.  Fast forward to the end of July.

Knowing that the Soccer House, a local indoor soccer facility has the requisite boards and playing area, I followed up on a conversation I had with them earlier this year.  The owner and general manager were both highly receptive to us holding an indoor lacrosse league there.  With the down economy, a new source of revenue was definitely welcome and they see the potential for growth as the sport continues to expand in Des Moines.  We began to make plans then because the time slots are reserved quickly.

Originally we hoped for four teams of eight players.  Soon it began to look as though there were enough guys to field six teams.  We added an extra hour to our reserved time just to be safe.

As summer turned into fall, registration opened up. In addition to the local adult players that we picked up over the summer, information was sent to Iowa State University’s MCLA players and coaches.  With 10 games from November through January at $50 per player, we thought the deal was pretty decent.  Evidently so did the players.

Although we fell short of 6 teams this year, we did make our original goal of 4 teams – 2 teams of 11, an ISU team with 14 guys, and a team consisting of 15 Valley High School varsity players (an additional VHS player is on an adult team).  I know it seems odd that we have a mix of high school and adult guys, but keep in mind that lax is barely off the ground here.

Mixing the ages is not the sole departure from standard box/indoor lacrosse.  We also had to eliminate cross checking, boarding, and off the ball hits.  There are several reasons for this.  First and foremost, not everybody is a member of US Lacrosse.  Since this is a local rec league, having players register would be an additional expense on top of purchasing gear and paying the league fee.  Many simply cannot or do not want to throw extra money down for a ten game season, especially in the current economy.  However, I actively encourage them to register.  Another major reason is the construction of the Soccer House.  Instead of hockey boards that have some give, the walls are thick oak boards; the building used to be a barn/practice arena for show horses (I know, hicks in Iowa).  They hurt like hell when you hit them, let me tell you.  Of course the age difference factored into this decision as well.

Since I run the Central Iowa Lacrosse Association on no budget, we do not have proper box goals. Instead we use our 6x6 field goals.  The good part about it is that the goalies get to practice pressure situations in front of their standard nets.  The bad news is that one team threw up 24 goals on Thursday. To help offset this, we made another rule alteration; we allow a d-pole on the floor.  Each team has the option to run a single d-pole at any time.  The high ceiling of the facility makes this possible. While thought odd at first, after the first game the teams agree that it created an interesting dynamic.

Despite my nervousness, everything went fairly smoothly on the first night. Sure the facility managers got there literally right before we started.  And the scoreboard did not work.  But the tape for the creases went on and stayed down better than we hoped.  The mismatched teams were still competitive.  Nobody was injured.  And most importantly, everybody had a good time.

This is week two and already there is a rematch. With one team comprised of out-of-state players attending Drake University, our schedule was altered to accommodate their winter break. As a result, they have a three nights of double headers. After losing their opening game 24-9, the Drake guys get an immediate rematch with ISU. Their second game will be against my team, the Demons. Comprised of locals with different experience levels, and the high school coaches, we beat the Valley team 17-6 in our opening game. Valley gets the night off, but the full team (varsity and JV) has their final field scrimmage of the fall on Tuesday night.

In just under a month, our league’s players will be at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines to watch the Minnesota Swarm battle the Colorado Mammoth.  This game marks the debut of professional lacrosse in Iowa.  Dare I say that indoor lacrosse has arrived in Iowa?

For more regular updates about lacrosse in Iowa, visit Central Iowa Lacrosse & Sports Ramblings.

The Lacrosse Mall is getting some last minute work done. Please hang in there with us as we work out the newness on the Mall. 

It will be closed - off and on this weekend for Maintenance. This is a planned closure. We apologize ahead for the inconvenience.