It wasn't that long ago that Western New York offered little in the way of anything lacrosse. The growth of this great sport in the past decade has given rise to all sorts of possibilities for youth and high school field laxers alike.
Simply put, despite the incredible growth in the past decade, lacrosse is still an unfamiliar sport to many people in our community. When I was growing up Williamsville in the late 1970s and early 80s, I played just about any type of game my friends and I could get our hands on. Never in that time was I introduced to a lacrosse stick or anyone who played the game. The papers of that time had limited coverage except an occassional score of private schools like Gow, Park or Nichols. Beyond the confines of the Tuscarora and Oneida Reservations, very little was known about the sport.
Ever so slowly, people from other parts of NYS settled here and transplanted the game they enjoyed into the WNY culture. Ed Van Tine, the Hamburg legend, brought his love of lacrosse to the southtowns back in the late 1970s . A product of West Genesee High School in the Syracuse area, he created and grew the program from meager beginnings. The Buffalo area wasn't laxing much in those days. To have him tell it, "...it was difficult finding games as their were only six total teams back then." John Faller, who started coaching at Sweet Home in the mid 1970s and continues to this day. Not simply a coach, Faller has been instrumental as chairman of Section Six lacrosse for these many years. Ed Greenway from Williamsville East, another West Genny product, who created a program in Williamsville. Beginning with just one combined district team, the sport quickly flourished, evolving into varsity programs for all three high schools. Most importantly, Greenway helped create a youth program with close friend Rick Hopkins. Their summer league continues to expand each year, creating lacrosse opportunities for literally hundreds of players (boys & girls) throughout several communities. Jeremy Murphy and Stefen Henn, who 10 years ago founded the Fastbreak Lacrosse Camp, Buffalo's most popular summer camp. Evidence of their passion and commitment to the sport are reflected in the countless past players and staff members (many of them former campers). They find a way to make lacrosse fun, and in doing so, set the path for a lifetime love affair with the game.
Obviously, the local lacrosse landscape is very different in 2008. Youth and high school players alike can choose from a wide variety of leagues, camps and tournaments to show off their lacrosse talents. I think it has to be very gratifying for those early pioneers of WNY lacrosse. They can see the changes that have taken place. They know that their efforts have not only helped the game of lacrosse but also strengthen the communities that they live in. As we continue to grow the game here, I hope that we look into the past and do it the "right" way. These mentors have and will continue to steer our course.
Who do you feel has made a great impact on lacrosse in Western New York and why? Maybe it's an old coach, friend or player. Your turn to comment and put them in the spotlight!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
What Stefan Henn has done in Amherst is incredible! Before he came to town, people didn't know the difference between a broom stick and a lacrosse stick. He has changed the way people look at the sport. Everytime I watch players walk down the streets with their sticks in their hands it fills me with great pride! Being a Tiger lacrosse player is very special.
The biggest impact on WNY lacrosse would be a list of some of the finest gentalment t ever walk a side line.
Ed Vantine love of hate him he deserves credit
Don Schully Who passed away this week. Deserves lots too.
Then Jermey Murphy and Stef HEnn for the first lax camp in WNY.
All the guys at ALA.
PLus then all the coaches who never played but took on thi new sport, Riffle,Faller,Coach Wilhelm who started OP lax, Tundo who continue op success,.
Lets not forget the parents and kids of who have help this sport grow.
Coach Greenway has made a very special lacrosse league in Williamsville. As a past player at ALA i can guarantee you that what he has done is amazing. Thanks to all the other coaches not mentioned in this article for all that they have done for the sport of lacrosse.
Bob Ericson is officailly titled as the East Aurora JV assistant coach. He and varsity coach Derek Hoover have turned East Aurora into a force in the C's. Hoover just might be the best young varsity coach in western new york. He has coached at EA for 4 years and has taken them to 4 championships, this year will be the 5th. Coach Ericson lives for lacrosse and loves the game more than anyone I have ever met. The man devotes countless hours to the good of the East Aurora program. He is the reason there is a modified program at EA. There is not a more knowledgable coach in western new york, and that is not a biased statement. That is a true statement. It's too bad that the AD over at EA is such a prick, because in an ideal world Coach Ericson would be getting paid a whole lot more than what he gets now, which is nothing. God bless the hard work he has put in and lord knows it is paying off.
Post a Comment