Sociogenesis of Lacrosse

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary lacrosse "a goal game in which players use a long-handled stick that has a triangular head with a mesh pouch to catch, carry, and throw the ball." Lacrosse originated in North America and Native Americans were responsible for the development of it. At the time, this sport was and still is referred to as "The Creator's Game". There were many purposes to pay this sport, and in the beginning it was played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, develop strong men, and as preparation for war. "Contestants played on a field from one to 15 miles in length, and games sometimes lasted for days."(Brief History of Lacrosse) Originally, players would not wear a certain type of gear, but now the gear consists of a helmet, cleats, gloves, elbow pads, and chest pads.  The evolution of the sport began in 1636 a French Jesuit missionary wrote about the game, therefore introducing the game to the French. It was him who later named it "lacrosse". Later on, in 1856 a Canadian dentist Dr. William George Beers founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club, and by 1860 lacrosse became Canada's national game. By 1890 the St. Leonard's School in Scotland the first women's lacrosse game was played, but it wasn't until 1926 that the first American women lacrosse team was assembled in Maryland. In the beginning, Native Americans played with at least 100 men, by 1890 eight played, and finally by 1913 the number of players was increased to twelve players in women's lacrosse and 10 in men's. Some important events were 1971 when the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Association was founded and in 1974 The International Lacrosse Federation was founded for men's lacrosse. In 1982, the first IFWAL World Cup was played in England and was won by the United States against Australia.

Neira Ortiz-Ruiz





(St. Leonard's women lacrosse team 1900)

(Olympic gold medal-winning lacrosse team)

Sport in the Ancient World

The types of sports played in Ancient Greece were footrace, wrestling, boxing, pancratium (combiantion of wrestling and boxing), horse racing, and as shown on the videos pentathalons. These pentathalons included running, long jump, javeling, discus throwing, and wrestling. These sports were performed by men only. Women were not even allowed to watch the games. These greek athletes had to swear under oath to Zeus that they had 10 months of preparation and were prepared for another one before competition. These sports functioned as entertainment for both common men and royalty men. Whoever won would become a sports millionaire and losers would be forgotten. In Ancient Rome gladiator battles were the common sport/entertainment for the people. This was the most brutal and bloodiest of all sports. Gladiators could be slaves, criminals, or prisoners of war. They would battle from 10 to 15 minutes and would have a life span of 20 to 30 years. They fought until someone could not fight back anymore. The winner would receive prices or would be considered a sport celebrity, but the loser's fate lied on the emperor's hand because he could choose to let him live or to have him killed. Gladiator battles, I believe to be both for entertainment and political. Entertaining to the common public and royalty, but at the same time political because men who fought in these battles were basically forced to do it.

Sport Society and Me

My connection to sport is through volleyball. I have been playing this sport for thirteen years. Growing up, my dad was and still is a very famous basketball player in Puerto Rico, and my mom thought it was a good recreational idea to follow in his footsteps. So, ever since I was 8 years old my new "hobby" was volleyball. Although it started out as a hobby, situations in life made me mature pretty fast, and with my parents going through a divorce, I decided at the age of 11 that I had to find a way in which I could pay for my own education. Therefore, volleyball went from being a recreational hobby to my profession and the way I get paid is through school.
I think the role of sport in the US society is really important. For international students like me its the ability to obtain a scholarship and save your parents the stress of being in debt for paying with money they don't really have. As for Americans I believe that many share my same story/ background and a sport is a pathway to getting a degree. In US society sport is passion and hard work, sport brings people together, it is a staircase to success, and if it is done well with integrity and resilience it has positive outcomes. I believe this is true because I have had the blessing of getting to know and understand US society's both in a good way and in a bad way. Based on my experience I think athletes hold a high position in society and are respected if they are good, when they are struggling it might be a different story. Anyhow, athletes are valued for what they had to go through in order to be where they are now.

The Sport Ethic

The Sport Ethic is a belief in which athletes must follow certain norms in order to be successful in their sports. According to Hughes and Coakley, "the Sport Ethic emphasizes positive norms, the ethic itself becomes the vehicle for transforming behaviors that conform to there positive norms into deviant behaviors that are prohibited and negatively sanctioned within society and within sport organizations themselves". They also mention how this ethic is a criteria that defines what it means to be a 'real athlete'. There are four dimensions of this concept. First, an athlete must make sacrifices. An example of this is the amount of time they spend practicing or in competition which prevents them from spending more time with friends and family. Second, an athlete must be distinct from other athletes. This means that athletes are always competing to be above other athletes in order for there to be something special or different compared to other athletes. Third, an athlete should take risks and play through pain. Most of the time being an athlete involves getting hurt, but in order to be a good teammate selfless should be the key to succeeding. Lastly, an athlete should have no limits. I think that athletes are forced to conform with these dimensions because these characteristics make up what an athlete is at certain times in their careers. As a student athlete I believe I experience these four dimensions ever since I started playing my sport. Along the years I've had to sacrifice time that I could spend with friends and family due to practice or competition. In my case I feel it is amplified because I am in a different country far away from my loved ones. I think it is important that we are competitive and push harder to be noticed in order to be successful and earn playing time. Also, I've certainly have had to play through pain and sickness many times for my team including one time were I was sick with mono and a week after being diagnosed  I was expected to play and help out my team. In the end, I think 'real' and 'great' athletes abide by these norms because in the end we know it is all going to be worth our sacrifices.

Neira Ortiz-Ruiz

Sport(s) in the USA

Sport Page # 1

My first experience with sports in the US was approximately two and a half years ago, when I made the decision of leaving my beautiful island of Puerto Rico, and explore the wonders of college life in the United States. Even though, Puerto Rico is a US territory and many games are televised and talked about on TV, the real deal felt surreal once on North American land. I learned that sports like Basketball, (American) Football, baseball, and hockey were and still are four of the most important sports that bring the American society together. In order for these sports to be the most popular, I believe they are sports with extreme competitiveness and excitement. These sports all share the characteristic of bringing people together as one. A perfect example of this is game day and what traditionally is done during these special days in which teams compete against each other and only one can win. Usually, people get together hours before a game and rally up to go see their favorite team. This typical 'game day' apart from rallying up fans, is a way of supporting a favorite team or school that you attended and are proud of forming part of. The values reinforced on 'game day' are pride for your team or your school and a display of leadership and teamwork. In US sport success is measured by winning championships, winning in the division a team is part of, and consistantly winning over years instead of just one year. In order for teams to win athletes should have certain characteristics that will help them succeed. Such as: They must be athletic, and if he/she is a professional athlete he/she should have a bigger contract than athletes who are not as successful. They should be deemed successful if they win many championships or medals. Sports in the US should have athletes who share sportsmanships and play on the same level playing field without using illegal substances. They are exciting to watch and show children how to play a sport in the correct way.

Neira Ortiz-Ruiz