Lacrosse No Longer Just for The East Coast

By Todd McClamroch in News on Jan 18, 2007 8:08PM

Lacrosse, often considered to be a sport played only on the East Coast of the United States, continues to grow in the Midwest and here in Chicago in particular. Obviously, the introduction of two Chicago-based professional lacrosse teams, the Chicago Shamrox of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Chicago Machine of Major Lacrosse League (MLL) proves there are investors who believe the sport can succeed in Chicago.

This weekend, local lacrosse standouts will have their opportunity to show off their skills at the First Annual First Look-Last Look High School Combine in Chicago. The two-day event is being hosted at the Max-McCook Center in McCook , IL. The Chicago Machine and Lacrosse America are working together to organize this combine that will allow high school players to show off their abilities in front of college scouts. This is the first such combine for the sport of lacrosse in Chicago.

Scouts from recent Division III lacrosse champions Middlebury College, SUNY Cortland, and Salisbury State University will be participating in the event along with at least 10 other Division III schools. They will be reviewing nearly 100 athletes from over 25 Chicagoland area high schools.

Lacrosse players interested in an opportunity to show of their skills should mark down April 21 and 22 on their calendars. The Chicago Machine are leaving five spots on their roster open and participants in an open try-out on April 21-22 can attempt to earn a spot with the team. To register for the tryout, visit the Chicago Machine website. The Machine season begins in May at Toyota Park.

Photo by Eagle Shooter.