Lacrosse: fastest growing sport in the nation, new challenge for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  When someone mentions the word sports, most people may think of football, basketball or baseball. These games have been around for many years and could be considered some of the most popular athletic events in the United States. Yet, even with their popularity and solidified position as past times in American culture, some people are looking for the next big thing.

Lacrosse is one sport that has broken the mold and is on the rise in almost every state, including Montana. Long considered a niche sport, mostly played in costal cities and high schools big enough to accommodate a large athletic club, lacrosse has gained people's attention as a new way to have fun and compete.

"Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the nation," said Brian Jenkins, University of Great Falls lacrosse head coach. "People on the coasts have been playing it for a long time but recently it has exploded in popularity. People of all skill levels are playing the game. From middle school kids to college athletes, it seems like everyone is getting in on the action.

"The sport is also starting to gain a big following in Montana," he added. "A lot of local people have been interested in starting organized events for people of all ages to participate in and its finally starting to come together."

Great Falls currently has three lacrosse organizations, which are all preparing for the upcoming season.

According to Jenkins, learning the sport is fairly easy and the cost of buying gear is minimal compared to the money needed for some sports such as football and hockey. The main piece of gear used is a cross, which looks like a long stick with a net on one end.

The rules of the game are simple; one team consists of 10 players: three attack-men, three midfielders, three defenders and one goalie. One team must score more points than the other within four, 15-minute quarters to win. After each goal, and at the beginning of each quarter, two opposing players start with a faceoff. A faceoff in lacrosse is similar to a faceoff in hockey, except that the two lacrosse players get down on their hands and knees and position their sticks parallel to each other.

After the faceoff is won, the team with the ball passes it until they are close enough to the opponent's goal to shoot. Meanwhile, the defenders try to keep the offensive team from scoring. A shot that travels past the goalie and into the goal counts as one point. Once a goal is scored, the ball is brought back to midfield, where a faceoff takes place again.

"This is an incredibly fun sport to play," said Kirk Fried, Great Falls Lacrosse Club president. "The action is fast paced and everyone on the field is involved. My goal is to show anyone who is interested how to play the game. It would be great to get some people on Malmstrom and members of the local community more involved with the sport and have folks participate."

Military members are highly encouraged to join a local club and learn more about the sport.

"The more opportunity we give people to play at the local level, the bigger chance they will have to pursue their goals in sports while they pursue their education," Fried said. "It would be great to see children pick up the game while they are young and continue it throughout high school and into college. With the older players, it's a great game to compete in. Like most sports, it builds a sense of camaraderie and friendship while also providing a physical outlet to let loose."

The Great Falls community is ushering in the sport at a frantic pace, but a solid framework of supporters for the game is in high demand. According to local organizations, there is still a great need to get more people from the community involved. Military dependents are encouraged to join a local organization and those who would like to start a club of their own can contact the Great Falls Lacrosse Club or University of Great Falls Lacrosse Club for more information on rules and regulations.

"We can never have enough supporters," Fried said. "I would love to see more people get interested in something new. The sport has a lot to offer, and I am excited to see what the future holds for lacrosse in Great Falls."

For information on the Great Fall Lacrosse Club, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/greatfallslacrosseclub

For rules and regulations, contact the University of Great Falls Lacrosse Club via their official athletic site at: www.ugfargos.com/sport/0/22.php.