Q: What led to the launch of Park Ridge Lacrosse?

A: Growing up playing lacrosse and coaching lacrosse for the last 20 years, I was excited when my first child was old enough to play lacrosse last spring. But we were disappointed with weekly games being out in Naperville and the lack of a committed coach. Many parents on my son’s team and throughout Park Ridge and northwest Chicago felt the same. This is why we started Park Ridge Lacrosse.

We first started with speed lacrosse (3-on-3, sticks only, similar to 3-on-3 basketball) to keep the fees low for parents so they could have their kids try the sport, teach fundamentals, and to keep the games local (boys programs: kindergarten-8th grade; girls: kindergarten-4th grade). We did not expect it to do so well, where many kids and parents were asking us what was next. The boys head coaches from Maine South and Notre Dame College Prep saw what we were doing and wanted to support us; so much so that they serve our board, providing advice and help.

This spring, we will be holding our inaugural boys padded program, where we will play in the Illinois Boys Lacrosse Associations (IBLA) against local towns such as Evanston, Arlington Heights, Glenview and Northbrook. All levels are welcome, and we will ensure we have at least two dedicated coaches per team.

Q: Tell us a bit about the relatively rapid rise in popularity of lacrosse across the nation.

A: I believe it is growing because it is a fast-paced sport that combines the best parts of many sports, as well as the rich history and culture. Lacrosse has a combination of football athletics, where you have players running down the field making split dodges (jukes) to shake off defenders, basketball movement with the pick-and-roll and weave offenses, and the contact and stick/eye coordination of hockey. Lacrosse is a great complement for football, hockey, basketball and soccer.

What really makes lacrosse unique is the history and culture when compared to other sports. With the name lacrosse, many people assume it came from Europe. In reality, it came from Native Americans where tribes called it “the medicine game.”

When the French came over, they thought the stick looked like the Pope’s cross, where the name “lacrosse” or “the cross” came from.  This sport has been such a big part of Native Americans’ lives and history that, even today, the Iroquois compete nationally against the USA and Canada.

Some of the best players I’ve coached were not the most athletic, but they knew what they were good at and exploited their strengths.

Q: What traits do it take to be successful at lacrosse?

A: I think we should first talk about what lacrosse can do for your kids.

Besides the teamwork, goal setting, conflict management and work ethic you get from all team sports, I believe lacrosse can help individuals make friends and attend some great schools. Lacrosse is a small community, and I cannot count how many times a connection through lacrosse has helped me get a job, or help me settle in a new city.

As for college opportunities, many of the top lacrosse programs are at prestigious schools such as Duke, Harvard, Amherst and Middlebury. Many schools see lacrosse players as excellent students, and that is why we are seeing a surge of division III schools offering lacrosse.

If I can sum up how to be successful in lacrosse, I would say the No. 1 trait is knowing yourself. Lacrosse players come in all different sizes, athletic abilities and skill levels. Some of the best players I’ve coached were not the most athletic, but they knew what they were good at and exploited their strengths.

I believe that as coaches, we have to develop kids to become adults. This goes not just with teaching the sport, but teaching them how to react when the opposing team has a dirty play, when your team is losing, and when your team is winning.

Q: Your leagues stress a motto to “honor the game.” What’s your focus there when it comes to teaching kids? 

A: If I were to pick three main focuses, they would be: 1.) Have fun 2.) Teach the kids to become adults 3.) Prepare them for high school lacrosse (if they choose).

I believe sports should be challenging and fun. Sometimes these travel/select programs focus too much on getting kids recruited. This is why Park Ridge Lacrosse will only operate the padded boys program in the spring. If kids want to play on a travel lacrosse team, they are welcome to join one of the many select programs. We want to make lacrosse fun to keep them involved in the sport while playing with their neighbors.

I believe that as coaches, we have to develop kids to become adults. This goes not just with teaching the sport, but teaching them how to react when the opposing team has a dirty play, when your team is losing, and when your team is winning.

Lastly, we do want kids to play lacrosse because we believe this is a great sport. If the kids choose to play the sport in high school or above, we want to provide the key skills and knowledge to do so. As I said before, why not play lacrosse with your future high school teammates?

Q: Finish this sentence: Park Ridge Lacrosse aims to…

A: Build outstanding young adults through the sport of lacrosse.

For more information on Park Ridge Lacrosse, visit ParkRidgeLacrosse.com

For more information on the current Park Ridge Park District lacrosse options and girls’ lacrosse leagues for 5th-8th grade, click here