The Importance of Lacrosse
The Importance of Lacrosse Lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America (played for centuries by native Americans) Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America, while other sports have declined in participation (Wall Street Journal, Jan 2014).
1
Lacrosse Participation – College Level COLLEGE A staggering 60 new varsity college programs were added in 2013, including 8 new NCAA Division I programs. In the first year lacrosse statistics were recorded (1981 – 1982), there were 243 college lacrosse teams (men’s and women’s). By 2013, there were 735 college lacrosse teams.
Number of college lacrosse teams has increased by more than 200% since 1981 2
Lacrosse Participation – High School Level Growth at the high school level is in line with the youth level nationally. The table below shows the number of high schools sponsoring lacrosse compared with the other 4 fastest growing sports. Number of Schools Sponsoring the Sport Boys' Lacrosse Water Polo Volleyball Bowling Swimming
2008 1,815 698 2,006 2,261 6,428
2013 2,436 789 2,257 2,511 7,001
Growth Rate 34.2% 13.0% 12.5% 11.1% 8.9%
Girls' Lacrosse Ice Hockey Water Polo Soccer Bowling
2008 1,624 534 712 10,543 2,321
2013 2,212 608 775 11,351 2,494
Growth Rate 36.2% 13.9% 8.8% 7.7% 7.5%
Lacrosse has out-paced the next closest sport by nearly 3 to 1 3 Data from US Lacrosse 2013 Participation Report
Lacrosse Participation – Youth Level Youth level participation grew 36% nationally from 2009 – 2013 36% Youth Boys
Youth Girls
500,000
# Players
400,000
297,271
324,673
361,275
389,630
403,770
2012
2013
300,000
200,000 100,000 0
2009
2010
2011
4 Data from US Lacrosse 2013 Participation Report
Lacrosse Participation – Sylvania 51% Youth
High School
180 154
160
154
158 147
141 140
# Players
120
100 80
97
105
99
55
67
55
62
70
86 40
41
39 30
60 40
57
60
56
2006
2007
2008
20
86
87
2010
2011
99
96 77
64
0 2009
2012
2013
2014
Lacrosse in Sylvania has grown 51%, faster than the national average of 36% from 2009 to 2013 5 Data from Sylvania Recreation Department
History and growth of Lacrosse in Sylvania & Toledo Sylvania Lacrosse has been extremely successful in the past, and has provided the blueprint for several area programs. Prior to becoming individual high school programs in 2010, Sylvania Lacrosse participated in the Ohio Club division and won three state titles (including back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009). There are currently 10 area High School Programs, including 7 varsity programs for the 2015 spring season: Northview, Southview, Anthony Wayne, Central Catholic, Perrysburg, St. Johns, and St. Francis 6
SHS & NHS Program Overview & Achievements At Southview, entering the 2015 season, Lacrosse has had the most wins (61), and the highest winning percentage (74.4%) of any sport since its inception in 2010 (5 seasons). Northview has seen steady increase in enrollment and improvement on the field. In 2014, Northview had a winning season and largest historical player participation. In 2014, Sylvania HS lacrosse players were honored with 11 All-City awards, 5 All-Region awards, and 1 All-State Player.
7
1
Lacrosse Participation – College Level COLLEGE A staggering 60 new varsity college programs were added in 2013, including 8 new NCAA Division I programs. In the first year lacrosse statistics were recorded (1981 – 1982), there were 243 college lacrosse teams (men’s and women’s). By 2013, there were 735 college lacrosse teams.
Number of college lacrosse teams has increased by more than 200% since 1981 2
Lacrosse Participation – High School Level Growth at the high school level is in line with the youth level nationally. The table below shows the number of high schools sponsoring lacrosse compared with the other 4 fastest growing sports. Number of Schools Sponsoring the Sport Boys' Lacrosse Water Polo Volleyball Bowling Swimming
2008 1,815 698 2,006 2,261 6,428
2013 2,436 789 2,257 2,511 7,001
Growth Rate 34.2% 13.0% 12.5% 11.1% 8.9%
Girls' Lacrosse Ice Hockey Water Polo Soccer Bowling
2008 1,624 534 712 10,543 2,321
2013 2,212 608 775 11,351 2,494
Growth Rate 36.2% 13.9% 8.8% 7.7% 7.5%
Lacrosse has out-paced the next closest sport by nearly 3 to 1 3 Data from US Lacrosse 2013 Participation Report
Lacrosse Participation – Youth Level Youth level participation grew 36% nationally from 2009 – 2013 36% Youth Boys
Youth Girls
500,000
# Players
400,000
297,271
324,673
361,275
389,630
403,770
2012
2013
300,000
200,000 100,000 0
2009
2010
2011
4 Data from US Lacrosse 2013 Participation Report
Lacrosse Participation – Sylvania 51% Youth
High School
180 154
160
154
158 147
141 140
# Players
120
100 80
97
105
99
55
67
55
62
70
86 40
41
39 30
60 40
57
60
56
2006
2007
2008
20
86
87
2010
2011
99
96 77
64
0 2009
2012
2013
2014
Lacrosse in Sylvania has grown 51%, faster than the national average of 36% from 2009 to 2013 5 Data from Sylvania Recreation Department
History and growth of Lacrosse in Sylvania & Toledo Sylvania Lacrosse has been extremely successful in the past, and has provided the blueprint for several area programs. Prior to becoming individual high school programs in 2010, Sylvania Lacrosse participated in the Ohio Club division and won three state titles (including back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009). There are currently 10 area High School Programs, including 7 varsity programs for the 2015 spring season: Northview, Southview, Anthony Wayne, Central Catholic, Perrysburg, St. Johns, and St. Francis 6
SHS & NHS Program Overview & Achievements At Southview, entering the 2015 season, Lacrosse has had the most wins (61), and the highest winning percentage (74.4%) of any sport since its inception in 2010 (5 seasons). Northview has seen steady increase in enrollment and improvement on the field. In 2014, Northview had a winning season and largest historical player participation. In 2014, Sylvania HS lacrosse players were honored with 11 All-City awards, 5 All-Region awards, and 1 All-State Player.
7
