Men’s lacrosse a sport that is gaining respect

After finishing 24th in the nation last season, the men’s club lacrosse team is looking for… After finishing 24th in the nation last season, the men’s club lacrosse team is looking for better things this year. A game invented by the Iroquois Indians, lacrosse is not the most well known sport on campus.

It is what junior team captain Rich Grant describes as a mixture of soccer, hockey and basketball. Lacrosse fields 10 players per team, one goalie, three attackers, three midfielders and three defenders.

The game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. Players are trying to score goals that are worth one point apiece and are suited up with a lacrosse stick, helmet, shoulder pads, gloves and a mouthpiece.

With shots ranging anywhere from 70 to 95 miles per hour, lacrosse is often regarded as the fastest game played on foot.

Pitt lacrosse plays with the United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates in the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association league.

Under USLIA regulations, club sports must follow the same rules and eligibility requirements as their varsity counterparts. It is also governed by the NCAA, which doesn’t host many lacrosse teams itself.

“Our league was formed to develop an alternative to varsity sports,” head coach Ron Heaps said. “Sometimes it’s difficult when you aren’t in the NCAA, but we have gained a lot of respect.”

Because lacrosse is a club sport, the players are responsible for raising all of their own money. Only receiving $4,000 from the University, each team member is responsible for dues and they publish an ad book at the start of their season.

“We have to raise all of the money ourselves,” Heaps said. “We are running off of a $50,000 budget.”

With approximately 150 teams, the USLIA is the largest lacrosse league in the country. Pitt plays teams in its regular season schedule such as the University of Indiana, University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Purdue University. Its closest opponent is the University of Buffalo.

The fall season is comprised of tournaments where players get reacquainted with the game and each other. This year, the team played in the Michigan State Tournament and Wheeling-Jesuit Tournament and is also sending players to Ohio University.

Spring is the primary season for Pitt lacrosse. They play an intensive schedule with anywhere between 15 and 20 games and all home games are held at the Cost Center. Last spring they compiled an 11-3 overall record and were ranked 24th at one point in the season.

Pitt lacrosse puts a lot of time and dedication into their sport. In the spring, there are four three-hour practice sessions per week on top of the game schedule. They give up practically all of their spare time on the weekends to play games and practice.

The team is looking forward to another strong season with many returning players. Most players are attracted through the activities fair, which is held in August.

“We will do well,” sophomore midfielder Dan Huckel said. “We have a lot of tough competition but plan on rising to the occasion to top the success of last season.”

Joining Huckel as returning stars are goalie Grant, junior defenseman Dave Hofman, sophomore midtackle Kyle Balliet, sophomore attacker Jason Dawson and sophomore midfielder Craig Anderson.

The team is trying to gain support and enthusiasm from the student body. The team is also open to any new players looking to join the club.

“Everything is open right now,” Grant said. “Our spring season hasn’t started yet.”