A Brief History of Lacrosse in Minneapolis
The sport of lacrosse has deep roots in Minneapolis, dating back over a century. Though not as prominent as baseball or football, lacrosse has an enthusiastic and dedicated following in the Twin Cities metro area.
Lacrosse first arrived in Minneapolis in the late 1800s, brought by Canadian railroad workers. The Minneapolis Lacrosse Club formed in 1883, one of the first organized lacrosse teams in the Midwest. Games were played at Athletic Park, attracting curious onlookers unfamiliar with this fast-paced stick and ball game.
The University of Minnesota fielded its first varsity lacrosse team in 1910, establishing the sport’s foothold in local colleges. Through the 1920s and 30s, club and high school teams popped up around Minneapolis. Teams like the Wings, Gorillas, and Blues competed in a regional lacrosse league.
After a lull during World War II, lacrosse experienced a resurgence in the Twin Cities in the 1950s. Youth and high school leagues were formed to feed growing college programs. Minnesota hosted the first NCAA lacrosse tournament games west of the Mississippi in 1956 at Parade Stadium.
The Minnesota Swarm brought professional lacrosse to Minneapolis when they debuted at the Xcel Energy Center in 2004. The Swarm won two division titles before relocating to Georgia in 2015. The building excitement over lacrosse led to the construction of fields at locations like Fort Snelling and Minneapolis parks.
Today, dozens of middle schools, high schools, and colleges around Minneapolis field varsity lacrosse teams. Popular youth leagues like the Twin Cities Youth Lacrosse Association cultivate the next generation of players. Fans can track scores and schedules on sites like the Star Tribune.
The game continues to grow locally, with Minneapolis-area high school standouts earning college scholarships. Though lacrosse lacks the prestige of hockey or basketball in Minnesota, its increased visibility bodes well for the future. With more opportunities to learn and play, Minneapolis can cement itself as a lacrosse hub.
Youth Lacrosse in Minneapolis
For young athletes in Minneapolis, lacrosse provides an exciting alternative to mainstream sports like baseball and football. Youth leagues offer co-ed play beginning as early as first grade to introduce kids to lacrosse fundamentals.
Many suburban Minneapolis towns like Orono, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata have well-established youth programs. Inner city schools are joining in, with boys and girls lacrosse teams at public schools like South and Southwest High School.
Premier tournaments like the Chaska Youth Lacrosse Jamboree bring top teams from around Minnesota and the Midwest. Peak, a national lacrosse training company, offers classes and camps for kids in the Twin Cities area.
As popularity grows, more Minneapolis schools are adding lacrosse to their athletic offerings. Kids are drawn to lacrosse’s free-flowing gameplay and the chance to take up a stick sport beyond hockey. Continued investment at the youth level will pay dividends for Minneapolis lacrosse down the road.
High School Lacrosse
At the high school level, lacrosse has exploded in the Twin Cities metro over the past two decades. What was once seen as an obscure prep sport has entered the mainstream, with powerhouse teams and fierce rivalries.
Many top lacrosse high schools hail from affluent Minneapolis suburbs like Eden Prairie and Wayzata. Perennial contenders like Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Blake School churn out college recruits. Upstart city schools like Minneapolis Southwest show the growth of lacrosse in diverse communities.
The Minnesota State High School League sanctioned boys lacrosse as a varsity sport in 2008, followed by girls in 2009. This elevated the sport’s profile and set the stage for an influx of Minneapolis schools adding lacrosse.
The boys and girls state tournaments crown champions each June after section playoffs. Finals at venues like Chanhassen High School provide a thrilling showcase for Minnesota’s best high school lacrosse talent.
Colleges from competitive lacrosse conferences now routinely recruit players from Minneapolis area teams. High school lacrosse in the Twin Cities holds its own with hotbeds on the East Coast.
Girls Lacrosse
Though boys still make up the majority of Minnesota’s 33,000 high school lacrosse players, girls have made quick strides since the first sanctioned season in 2009.
Many of the same Minneapolis schools excel in girls lacrosse, including perennial powers like Eden Prairie, Wayzata, and Blake. Participation numbers rise each year as more schools launch teams.
Minneapolis city schools are bridging the demographic gap in girls lacrosse. Washburn High School won the state title in 2012 behind a diverse roster reflecting the urban area.
Girls benefit from lacrosse’s emphasis on finesse over physicality. Early adoption from youth leagues gives Minneapolis athletes a head start. Minnesota regularly sends players to NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse programs.
With room for growth at the youth levels, Minneapolis area girls lacrosse could soon rival stalwarts on the East Coast. Support from parents and coaches will ensure bright future for girls lacrosse in the Twin Cities.