The year 2001 will be remembered for many memorable events – most notably the terrorist attacks of September 11^th.   However, while no event could ever be considered “more important” than the attacks, another important milestone happened in 2001: Major League Lacrosse.

It may not be known by many on a national scale, but lacrosse is a truly American game.  Created by Native Americans – records point to the Iroquois and Huron peoples as the originators of the game – the game has been around for more than 900 years. Over the years, lacrosse grew exponentially in both participation and fan interest, and it now stands on the precipice of popularity. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that sometime in the near future the MLL may become just as popular as the NBA.

Lacrosse right now is the nation’s fastest-growing sport.  On average, there are about 15 new college teams created each year at all different divisions.  Big-name schools like Oregon, Florida State, and other big-name and big-money schools will soon be adding teams.  For schools that do not have a school sponsored team, chances are they have club teams which sometimes can attract more spectators than school-sponsored teams.

It proves to be rather worthwhile for colleges to add a lacrosse team – both men’s and women’s teams – seeing how lacrosse is played on the same field as football, which makes it an easy transition.   All the school has to do is buy equipment and goals, and they can count on collecting tuition from 45 more individuals each year.

Lacrosse seems to be gathering more and more spectators each year.  With the addition of more colleges and universities each year, it’s hard for big name schools not to want to get in on the action.  The growth of college lacrosse also means the growth of the professional game as well.  This past year, the game of lacrosse had its first-ever, million-dollar man in Paul Rabil, who signed a deal with Warrior Lacrosse.  Sports with humble beginnings often have great success – just look at the NFL. This multi-billion-dollar entity went from humble beginnings to the most popular sport in the United States.

Have you ever noticed how people seem to have a sport for every season?  Fall is football, winter is basketball and hockey, and spring is baseball.  The odd man out, however, is baseball.  What people seem to want is a fast-paced game that they can watch on TV or in person.  Now I’m not saying that lacrosse is going to replace baseball as the spring sport for the nation, but I do feel that the two sports can coexist like hockey and basketball do during the winter season.  Who knows?  Maybe one day we will all be playing fantasy lacrosse on our IPhone 16’s.