Editor’s Note: Welcome our latest content creator to be thrown right into the lion’s den, Rich Snow! There’s no place like home for Rich, and that place is the heart of Philadelphia. There was no better way to give him a lacrosse wake up than ship him up to the Saratoga Shootout for a weekend of lacrosse purity!
Even in 110 degree weather, the action at Summit Lacrosse Ventures‘ Saratoga Shootout really brought the heat. It was my first time doing media for Lax All Stars and honestly my first time out of the city of Philly in about a year.
The combination would provide entertainment for all of us.
Folks, myself included, finding themselves lost staring at the mountains or getting distracted by a small plane landing on the airstrip right behind the playing fields was getting giggles from the locals all weekend. The environment at the tournament was amazing. Families traveling hours across state lines, deep into Upstate, just to play lacrosse. I couldn’t help but feel like I was watching the future of the game growing before my eyes. Multiple generations, on common grounds, sharing the spirit of the game.
While at the High Peaks Classic in Lake Placid, also another wildly incredible SLV event, I met Jake, the owner of the local lacrosse and hockey shop Locker Room 5, sitting right in the heart of the town. Actually, I met his son, little Jake, manning their booth and asking me every question he could think of about the history of wooden lacrosse sticks as I helped peddle Twigs and different creations from Skaggs and other incredible stickmakers. He informed me that his dad was actually playing in the men’s tournament as we spoke so he had to hold down the fort!
That would be a main theme for all of these Summit Lacrosse Ventures tournaments from what I saw. Adults who love the game, passing that passion to the next generation. Parents walking up their families up to us at the Wood Lacrosse Sticks booth to make sure kids know the history of the sport and also staring wide-eyed at all the things that are new to them.
There was a respect and love for lacrosse that I hadn’t been exposed to. Ever. Opposing teams were best of friends when the wood sticks came out and they got to run free, playing creatively and having fun like the game is intended to be. Even parents were finding it hard to not relive their glory days with a quick split dodge while the kids weren’t looking!
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Events like this are exactly what the game needs. I believe that and the whole team at Lacrosse All Stars shares the same philosophy on that. Showing the true spirit of the game through family, community, and fun. It almost brings a tear to your eye. As a a kid in the city, I didn’t get to see much of that side of the game and now I’ve been given the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the world help grow the game I love.
I won’t forget my baptism by fire, and I also don’t believe the impact will ever wear off.
