What's the West Coast's Beef with Lax?

by Riley Stauffer (@rileystauffer)
Lacrosse has begun to sweep America as the new it sport to play. Originating as a country-club sport in New England, it's become a staple sport and main attraction at national universities, a record number of people attend the NCAA Lacrosse Championships every year, and there are even pro teams now. Plus, everyone joins in on making fun of the stereotypical, white, upper-class, prep-school, obnoxious "lax bro" (see video below). However, one part of the nation really seems to be lagging. That's the West Coast, especially California.


It's not a surprise lacrosse would catch on more quickly in the Northeast, and more specifically, New England. After all, in my hometown of Redding, CT, which is a very small town, live the Distler family. The game of lacrosse owe a lot to Mr. and Mrs. Distler. They started youth and high-school lacrosse in Redding, which prompted it's spread and rise of popularity throughout Connecticut. So, because of the game's origin here, of course it will be more popular. But, recently it's spread to the South and Midwest as well. People from all over the nation seem to be recognizing the excitement and intensity of this high-impact game. Except, of course, the Californians.

What's not to like about lax? I mean, in what other game are people allowed to hit each other with metal sticks as hard as possible? In what other game, do people take 90-mph shots with a very, very hard small rubber ball? My friend's father, who played lacrosse in college, had one of the fastest shots of all time. Once, he hit a goalie in the chest with one of his shots. The goalie's heart stopped. This, of course, is a rarity, and shows the possibility of danger in the game, but nonetheless, the game is riveting. Lacrosse is incredibly fast-paced; the ball moves up and down the field in a matter of seconds. It's entertaining, exciting, and adrenaline-rushing.

So, it's utterly confusing that California has yet to realize what they are missing out on. Cal State and UC Santa Barbara are among the few schools in California to have varsity lacrosse teams. However, the head coach of Princeton's lacrosse team, which has six national championship titles, recently became the head coach at the University of Denver. Although not in Cali, maybe he'll help the West Coast catch on to lax. The lack of love for lacrosse is what makes me most miss the East Coast. California: it's time to step your game up. Start paying attention. Hop on the lax bandwagon. This game is going places.