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)