Who invented lacrosse in north america. The Rich History and Evolution of Lacrosse: From Native American Origins to Modern Professional Leagues

Who invented lacrosse in North America. When did lacrosse start. Where did lacrosse originate. How has lacrosse evolved over time. What are the major professional lacrosse leagues today. How does the game of lacrosse differ between Native American traditions and modern play.

The Ancient Roots of Lacrosse in Native American Culture

Lacrosse, one of America’s oldest team sports, boasts a fascinating history deeply rooted in Native American culture. The game’s origins can be traced back to as early as 1100 AD, when indigenous peoples across North America played various versions of stick-and-ball games. These early forms of lacrosse held profound significance beyond mere recreation, serving important cultural, spiritual, and practical purposes within Native American societies.

In Native American traditions, lacrosse was often referred to as “The Creator’s Game,” highlighting its spiritual importance. The game played a crucial role in:

• Settling tribal disputes
• Training warriors for combat
• Celebrating festivals and rituals
• Facilitating spiritual ceremonies
• Entertainment and recreation
• Settling wagers between tribes or individuals

Early lacrosse matches were grand events, sometimes lasting several days and involving hundreds of players. The equipment used in these games was handcrafted, with balls made from wood or stuffed deerskin, and sticks carved from wood or featuring netting made from plant fibers or animal sinew.

European Discovery and the Name “Lacrosse”

The first documented European encounter with lacrosse occurred in 1637 when French Jesuit missionary Jean de Brébeuf observed a game being played in present-day Ontario, Canada. Struck by the stick-like implements used in the game, de Brébeuf dubbed it “la crosse,” French for “the stick.” This name eventually evolved into the modern term “lacrosse.”

From its initial discovery by Europeans, lacrosse gradually spread beyond its Native American origins. By the 19th century, the sport had gained popularity in:

• Canada
• The United States
• Australia
• New Zealand

In North America, lacrosse became particularly prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic states, with New York and Maryland emerging as early hotbeds for the sport.

The Evolution of Lacrosse: From Traditional to Modern Forms

As lacrosse spread and gained popularity among non-Native players, the game began to evolve. While retaining many elements of its traditional roots, new variations emerged to suit different playing environments and preferences.

Field Lacrosse

Field lacrosse, the outdoor version played on a large grass field, became the standard form of the game in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This variant codified many of the rules and structures that define modern lacrosse, including:

• Standardized field dimensions
• Fixed number of players per team
• Specific positions (attack, midfield, defense, goalkeeper)
• Time limits and periods of play

Box Lacrosse

In the 1930s, a new variant called box lacrosse emerged in Canada. This indoor version of the game was played in hockey rinks with the ice removed, featuring:

• Smaller playing area
• Fewer players per team
• Modified rules to suit the enclosed space
• Increased physicality and faster pace of play

Box lacrosse quickly gained popularity in Canada and parts of the United States, leading to the formation of professional leagues dedicated to this format.

The Rise of Women’s Lacrosse

While early forms of lacrosse were predominantly played by men, women’s lacrosse began to develop in the late 19th century. The sport was introduced to women in Scotland in 1890, and soon after, it spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and North America.

How did women’s lacrosse differ from the men’s game? Women’s lacrosse evolved with its own distinct rules and equipment, emphasizing skill and finesse over physical contact. Key differences include:

• Less protective equipment
• Restrictions on body contact
• Different stick design
• Variations in field dimensions and number of players

The first women’s lacrosse club in the United States was established at the Bryn Mawr School in Maryland in 1926, marking the beginning of organized women’s lacrosse in North America. From there, the sport continued to grow, with collegiate programs and international competitions helping to popularize women’s lacrosse throughout the 20th century.

The Emergence of Professional Lacrosse Leagues

As lacrosse continued to gain popularity throughout the 20th century, the groundwork was laid for the emergence of professional leagues. These organizations have played a crucial role in elevating the sport’s profile and providing opportunities for top players to compete at the highest level.

National Lacrosse League (NLL)

The National Lacrosse League, focusing on indoor box lacrosse, traces its roots back to 1986 with the formation of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League. The league was reconstituted in 1997 under its current name, the NLL. Today, the NLL features:

• 14 teams across the United States and Canada
• Three divisions: North, East, and West
• A winter-spring playing season
• Some of the top box lacrosse talent in the world

Major League Lacrosse (MLL)

Founded in 1999 and beginning play in 2001, Major League Lacrosse was the first professional outdoor field lacrosse league in North America. Throughout its history, the MLL experienced various expansions and contractions, adapting to the changing landscape of professional lacrosse. Key points about the MLL include:

• Initially featured six teams, expanding to as many as nine
• Operated with a summer playing season
• Faced challenges with player compensation and benefits
• Helped elevate the profile of professional field lacrosse

Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)

In 2018, professional lacrosse player Paul Rabil announced the formation of a new league, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Launched in 2019, the PLL introduced innovative concepts to professional lacrosse, including:

• A tour-based model, with all teams traveling to different cities each weekend
• Improved player salaries, healthcare, and equity stakes
• Enhanced media coverage and production value
• A focus on player-driven content and marketing

The PLL began with six teams in its inaugural 2019 season and has since expanded, attracting many of the top field lacrosse players in the world.

The Impact of Professional Leagues on Lacrosse’s Growth

The establishment and evolution of professional lacrosse leagues have significantly impacted the sport’s growth and popularity. These leagues have contributed to lacrosse’s development in several key ways:

• Increased visibility and media coverage
• Improved playing opportunities for elite athletes
• Development of youth and amateur lacrosse programs
• Advancements in equipment and playing techniques
• Greater international recognition of the sport

How have professional leagues influenced youth participation in lacrosse? The presence of professional leagues has created role models and aspirational figures for young players, helping to drive interest and participation at the grassroots level. Additionally, many professional players and teams engage in community outreach and youth development programs, further promoting the sport to new generations of players.

Lacrosse in the Modern Era: Challenges and Opportunities

As lacrosse continues to evolve in the 21st century, the sport faces both challenges and opportunities for growth and development. Some key issues and trends shaping modern lacrosse include:

Expanding Global Reach

While lacrosse has traditionally been strongest in North America, efforts are underway to grow the sport internationally. The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) has been working to increase global participation and has set its sights on potential Olympic inclusion.

Technological Advancements

Modern technology is impacting lacrosse in various ways, from improved equipment design to enhanced training methods and analytics. Video analysis, wearable technology, and data-driven coaching are becoming increasingly common at all levels of the sport.

Balancing Tradition and Innovation

As lacrosse continues to evolve, there is an ongoing dialogue about how to balance the sport’s rich traditional heritage with the need for innovation and modernization. This includes discussions about rule changes, equipment standards, and the overall direction of the sport.

Diversity and Inclusion

Efforts are being made to increase diversity and inclusion within lacrosse, both in terms of player demographics and leadership roles within the sport. This includes initiatives to make lacrosse more accessible to underserved communities and to reconnect with the sport’s Native American roots.

Competition with Other Sports

Lacrosse faces competition from other established and emerging sports for players, fans, and resources. Positioning lacrosse as an exciting and accessible option for athletes and spectators remains an ongoing challenge.

How is lacrosse adapting to these modern challenges? The sport’s governing bodies, professional leagues, and grassroots organizations are implementing various strategies to address these issues, including:

• Investing in youth development programs
• Exploring new formats and rule variations to enhance spectator appeal
• Leveraging social media and digital platforms to engage fans
• Collaborating with Native American communities to honor the sport’s heritage
• Developing coaching and officiating education programs

As lacrosse continues to navigate these challenges and opportunities, the sport remains poised for further growth and evolution in the years to come. Its rich history, combined with ongoing innovations and a passionate community of players and fans, suggests a bright future for this ancient game in the modern world.

Blog – History of Men’s Lacrosse

What is the history of lacrosse?

Lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports in America. Lacrosse history goes back as early as 1100AD where it was played by Native Americans in North America. The origin of lacrosse has a rich history in the Native American cultures.

Who invented Lacrosse?

Todays lacrosse game is based on the games that were invented by Native Americans. It was referred to as “The Creator’s Game.” American Indian lacrosse had important connections to religious, cultural, and spiritual life. These games were big events and some of would last as long as several days. Lacrosse had many different purposes. Games were played to settle disputes, train in combat, recreation, parts of festivals, to settle bets, or religious reasons. Early lacrosse equipment was hand made. Balls were made from wood or deerskin stuffed with hair. Lacrosse sticks were made from wood carved to hold the ball or netting made from wattup or deer sinew.

Where did lacrosse originate? Where was lacrosse invented?

The origins of lacrosse can be traced back to North America. A French Jesuit missionary, Jean de Brébeuf saw it played in 1637 in present day Ontario and called the game la crosse, “the stick” in French. It became popular in Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In the 1800s and 1900s lacrosse was predominately played in the Mid-Atlantic states, especially New York and Maryland.

When did lacrosse start?

Lacrosse goes back as early as 1100AD where it was played by the Native Americans and Aboriginal Canadians. By 1900 there were many men’s clubs across the English speaking world. Women’s lacrosse was introduced in Scotland in 1890 and the first women’s club in the US was started at Bryn Mawr School (Maryland) in 1926.

National Lacrosse League

Newer versions of the game, like box lacrosse, background comes from the traditional games. Box lacrosse started in Canada in the 1930s with the formation of the first box lacrosse league. In 1986 the Major Indoor Lacrosse League was founded. It ran until 1997 when the league was reconstituted with a new name, the NLL, National Lacrosse League, is the men’s professional box lacrosse league. It now has teams across the United States and Canada. It now consists of 14 teams with three divisions, North, East, West. The Buffalo Bandits, Halifax Thunderbirds, Rochester Knighthawks, Toronto Rock make up the North. Georgia Swarm, New England Black Wolves, New York Riptide, Philadelphia Wings in the East. Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Vancouver Warriors. The newest team to join the league is the Panther City Lacrosse Club in Fort Worth, TX for the 2021 season.

Major League Lacrosse

The professional field game became popular with the founding of Major League Lacrosse, MLL, in 1999. Major League Lacrosse began play in 2001 consisting of six teams. Boston, Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Long Island made up the American Division. Baltimore, New Jersey, and Rochester made up the National Division. In 2006 the MLL added four teams, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco. In 2008 Los Angeles, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and San Francisco teams were shut down due to money and poor attendance. In 2011 North Carolina and Ohio added expansion teams. In 2014 the Hamilton Nationals folded and became the Florida Launch. Atlanta became the ninth team to join in 2016. In 2018 The Rattlers relocated to Dallas from New York. In 2019 the MLL announced that the Charlotte Hounds, Florida Launch, and Ohio Machine were not playing in the 2019 season. Although the MLL was one of the longest running and most famous field lacrosse leagues, most of the players in the league had to work multiple jobs. The salary range in the MLL was between $10,000 and $25,000 with no benefits. However, after newer competition in field lacrosse they stated the intent to raise the salary range by 51%.

Premier Lacrosse League

In 2018 Paul Rabil announced he would be starting a new professional league. The newest iteration of professional lacrosse began in 2019 with the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). The PLL would be a direct field lacrosse competitor to Major League Lacrosse. The PLL promised its players salaries, health care, and league equity. Unlike the MLL, the PLL did not base its teams in specific cities across the country. Rather it employed a 14 week tour based schedule in 12 cities. All teams traveled and played in a new city during the weekend. The 2019 PLL season began with 6 teams. Archers Lacrosse Club, Atlas Lacrosse Club, Chaos Lacrosse Club, Chrome Lacrosse Club, Redwoods Lacrosse Club, and Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club. The 2019 PLL season ended with the Whipsnakes LC winning the Championship 12-11 (OT) against the Redwoods LC. In 2020 an expansion brought the Waterdogs Lacrosse Club into the PLL for the 2020 season. With the onset of COVID 19, the PLL shifted its season to a bubble format. The Whipsnakes LC eventually won the 2020 Championship 12-6 against the Chaos LC.

The Indigenous origins of lacrosse – The Varsity

JESSICA LAM/THE VARSITY

In 1994, lacrosse officially became Canada’s national summer sport. The sport of lacrosse does not originate from European colonizers. Rather, Indigenous peoples invented and played the sport, albeit with different rules, even before the arrival of Europeans to North America.  

Lacrosse was played by many different Indigenous communities who had their own versions of the game with varied names. The first Europeans who observed tewaarathon — a Mohawk term for the game that would later be known as lacrosse — reported that it did not resemble any sport they had seen before. Early versions of the sport are very different from how modern lacrosse is played. Much of the rules of modern lacrosse were invented later on by European settlers after they adopted lacrosse from Indigenous peoples. 

In fact, European settlers’ initial observations — that lacrosse looked similar to war — might not be far from the truth. Indigenous peoples often used lacrosse games to settle disagreements between groups. During these games, entire valleys could be filled with hundreds of players for a single game. It was believed by the Haudenosaunee that the Creator would watch the game enthusiastically, soaking in the fun. 

And since lacrosse was a gift from the Creator, playing lacrosse meant that the Haudenosaunee could show appreciation and give thanks toward the Creator for their gift. In conjunction with this tradition, the Haudenosaunee lacrosse games were also played before a medicine person who was looking for a way to treat a sick person, in hopes that the Creator would see the appreciation and in turn guide the medicine person to the right treatments for the sick. 

Despite Indigenous cultures’ strong connections to the sport, why is it that people do not automatically associate the sport of lacrosse with Indigenous peoples? The answer, as with many things, is colonization. The erasure of the Indigenous histories of lacrosse is just one of the ways Indigenous cultures were stolen through colonization.

In 1860, the first iteration of modern lacrosse was created by the dentist and lacrosse enthusiast Dr. William George Beers. However, in the rulebooks that he wrote for the game, he included a rule forbidding Indigenous peoples from playing for white lacrosse clubs, “unless previously agreed upon.”

Additionally, in 1880, Indigenous players were barred from championship competitions when The National Lacrosse Association became an amateur organization. Despite the fact that they were the creators of the sport, it wasn’t until over one hundred years later that the Iroquois National Lacrosse Team was given membership in the Federation of International Lacrosse — now known as World Lacrosse — and allowed to compete in international competitions. 

So the next time you come across a game of lacrosse on the back campus fields or catch a game on the television, you should remember that this sport has a rich history within Indigenous cultures — and it is up to all fans of the game to continually remind the world of this fact.

On August 20, 1619, the era of slavery began in North America

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Published: 20 August 2022

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On August 20, 1619, a Dutch ship delivered the first 20 Africans to America, who were sold into slavery to the inhabitants of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia. This event marked the beginning of the British and American transatlantic slave trade.

The system of slavery that developed in North America was based on economic reasons: rice, tobacco and other plantations needed laborers. As a labor force, they began to use dark-skinned slaves, who were forcibly taken out of Africa. Most of them were from the tribes of West Africa. Representatives of Central, North, South Africa and the island of Madagascar found themselves in the New World relatively infrequently. So, in the middle of the 19th century, the number of black slaves in the United States reached about 4 million people. Their exploitation played an important role in the development of American capitalism.

The mass importation of slaves to America began in the 17th century. James Town, founded in 1609, became the first permanent settlement of the colonists. In 1619, the colonists acquired the first batch of slaves of Angolan origin. De jure, Africans were not slaves, but only had long-term contracts without the right to terminate. And it is from these events in historiography that the beginning of slavery in America is counted. However, the contract system did not last long. The colonies began to pass laws that reduced blacks to the status of slaves: in Massachusetts, in 1641, the service life of Africans was replaced by life; in 1661, Virginia passed a law on the inheritance of slavery from mother to children. Similar laws were gradually adopted in other states.

In 1672, London introduced a state monopoly on the black slave trade. At the end of the 17th century, the English Parliament allowed private individuals to sell slaves, and at the beginning of the next century, Britain became one of the countries most actively involved in the slave trade. Gradually, trading posts began to appear along the entire western coast of Africa, trading in slaves. The British created an agency of slave traders in Africa. Tribal leaders sold their fellow tribesmen or raided neighboring tribes and traded captives. Soon the share of slaves in the population of some American colonies exceeded 40%. In the northern colonies, dark-skinned slaves were more often used as domestic servants or laborers, in the southern colonies they were forced to work on plantations, growing indigo, tobacco and rice. At the same time, United States law treated slaves as movable property and protected the rights of slave owners.

However, during the period from 1663 to 1863, over 250 uprisings and conspiracies of black people were recorded. Slave uprisings were brutally suppressed. Then they began to express their protest in other forms: damage to tools, murder of overseers and owners, suicide and escapes.

Slavery had a huge impact on all aspects of life in the United States and became the prerequisite for the Civil War in 1861-1865, one of the results of which was the abolition of the institution of slavery.