School District Considers Launching Boys Freshman Lacrosse Team

With the rising popularity of lacrosse in Lacey Township, the school district is considering establishing a boy's freshman team at the

The co-curricular committee of the school board will be considering the start-up of the athletic team before the next meeting, President Jack Martenak said.

“The fact that it is even a topic of conversation is exciting,” said Shane Allen, the boy’s varsity lacrosse coach.

The boys lacrosse program launched in the spring of 2009 with a just a junior varsity team. During the spring of 2010, the district began a varsity team as well.

“There is a genuine need for a freshman program or we’ll have disappointed young men this season,” Allen said. “The need for a freshman program is based on the growth of the sport. There’s excitement surrounding the sport with the amount of turnout we’ve had throughout the high school and Lacey Pride programs.”

Peggy Gotti of Lanoka Harbor submitted a proposal to the school board in June with the goal of creating a freshman team, she said. Thirty-seven male lacrosse players entered the high school in September; 36 expressed a desire to play for the JV or varsity teams and 32 would like to play for a freshman team.

“There’s a good possibility but more than likely a probability that this number will increase substantially because lacrosse is a really hot sport in Lacey right now,” she said.

Allen described the sport as exciting and new with a growing popularity in lacey Township.

“We were considered a non-lacrosse community four years ago…I don’t think anyone would have foresaw what would transpire in four years. It has taken on a life of its own,” he said.

Because the sport has experienced such tremendous growth at the high school level, Allen may have to start making cuts come tryouts, he said. Having a freshman team would prevent that from happening.

In 2009, the program had approximately 21 players. In 2010 there were a total of 36 and 41 last season, he said. Most school districts keep 18 to 20 players on their varsity teams.

“So there has been a steady increase in terms of volume and number of players playing on the varsity team,” Allen said.

If a freshman team was established, Allen anticipates a team of approximately 20.

“It could be infectious if we get a freshman program,” he said

Gotti added that there are enough players to makeup a freshman team for years to come. The Lacey Pride Lacrosse League has 13 males in seventh grade, 19 in sixth grade, and 17 in fifth grade.

“There’s no question that a freshman team would help us further our high school program.”

With a freshman team, student-athletes would be able to would be able to progress according to the appropriate timeline, Allen said. Many freshmen are competing to play on the JV and varsity teams.

“For the program to have continued success and growth, we need to develop young players and allow them to become seasoned players at the appropriate level,” he said.

Although Allen does not determine the success of the program on wins and losses, he said they have struggled the last few years. With a freshman team, players would be able to gain experience at that level before moving onto varsity.

Unfortunately, more than simply the benefits of a freshman team need to be considered, Allen said.

“I support it but I don’t have the authority or leverage to make it happen,” Allen said. “Those decisions go beyond our wants and desires. It’s based on constraints and finances that aren’t necessarily looked into. It’s about dollar signs and whether we can afford it or not.”

Allen could not put a price on start-up costs as it can vary but it would cost thousands, he said. Just some of the factors include in start-up costs include a need for coaches, equipment and field space.

With the addition of a freshman team, the program would exceed all high school programs except football. With approximately 75 athletes in the entire football program, there are a total of seven coaches.

Allen recommended a minimum of four coaches for the entire high school lacrosse program.

“We’ll be resourceful and handle what we need. I’ll make it happen with three coaches,” he said.

Another issue is field space, he said. It is possible that the space behind the football stadium can be used. Locker room space can also pose a problem.

“That’s up to me and I’ll make that happen. Those are just nitpicky semantics,” he said.

As for equipment, most players would bring their own but they would still need to provide safety regulated and certified equipment, Allen said.

“We would like to be able to outfit our kids in uniforms,” Allen said. “It’s not just the enthusiasm of starting a program. It’s behind the scenes.”

There is a lot of parental support surrounding the establishment of a freshman team, Gotti said. Twenty-nine parents out of 32 players are willing to contribute financially, whether it’s through donations for start-up costs, supporting the lacrosse booster club, or other methods.

“I encourage people in the community to make their voices heard. That’s where things happen, at the community level. But we can’t expect the community to pay for a high school program,” Allen said. “We’re not in a pay to play district. It is the district’s responsibility.”

“If we could fundraise to start-up, I know it would happen but we need the district to be able to sustain the program over the long-term,” he said.

The co-curricular committee will meet with Athletic Director Karen Hughes, Martenak said. Martenak assumes a recommendation will be made in time for the next school board meeting on Monday, Oct. 17.

“The proposal is at the co-curricular level.  I always want as many of our student to be involved in extra curricular activities as possible,” Hughes said. “If it is approved the committee will tell me when it can be implemented.”

If the freshman lacrosse is approved, Allen hopes the team can start this upcoming spring.

“If it’s going to happen, it should happen this year. You never know what next year brings,” he said.