MEN'S LACROSSE IS A NOW A NON-VARSITY SPORT posted 4/25/05

Front Row (L to R): Drew Godfrey, Luke Dejeu, Derek Anderson, Forrest Marble, Ryan Bastien, Bobby Watson. Middle Row (L to R): Steve Keating, Chris Anderson, Colin Campbell, Jeff Dorchock, Brent Simon. Back Row (L to R): Cody Nelson, Jim Roehm, Chris Gilbert, Jason Spare, Casey Koss, Andy Benson, Mike Ayre. Missing: Tom Maxwell

Adrian College is now offering men's lacrosse as a club sport. The team is made up of players of all different skill levels, including students that have never played before; these players are not only players but coaches for the team as well. The first season consisted of eight games; the team only had the home field advantage for two of those games.

The idea developed at Adrian College through a few students who planned on attending AC to play football. They went to Mike Ayre, Vice President of Business Affairs at AC, with the idea of starting up a lacrosse team here. The gears finally started in motion after the football season had ended in the late fall and the guys had more time. Soon flyers and posters were hung around campus advertising the need for players.

One of the major keys to success of the lacrosse team is the backing that they have from the coaches of other sports at AC. "Coach Sam Skeels, the men's soccer coach, and Coach Jim Lyall, the head football coach, have been really great about talking to their players about the lacrosse team," stated Ayre, who is now the advisor for the lacrosse team.

Another source of support for lacrosse team is the Campus Activities Network (CAN). Starting a new sport can be expensive. The players have to buy uniforms and equipment for practice, games, and with 17 guys on a team that bill can start to add up. "We haven't had to do any fund raising yet, but maybe as we become more established we'll be able to participate in more fund raising activities," stated Ayre.

As of now the team is 1-4 with a victory over Kettering University. The team has three remaining games against Bowling Green University, Albion College and Taylor University.

This summer the Adrian College campus will be home to the 2005 NIKE Lacrosse Camp. The director of this camp, John Paul, is the head men's lacrosse coach at the University of Michigan; his team has an outstanding record of 57-1 in the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association. This camp is open to all males between the ages of 9 and 18. For more information call 1-800-645-3226 or visit the U.S. Sports Camps website at www.USSportsCamps.com.

By: Jessica Osenga '05