St. Michael-Albertville Lacrosse Makes Another Plea to School Board

Anna Churchill and Ethan Mark lace up their cleats, put on their pads and helmet, and don the blue and gold just a lot of other athletes.

The difference? They’re doing it on their own dime.

St. Michael-Albertville High has seen its share of club sports make the transition from “fringe” to district sanctioned. From swimming and softball to soccer, each has paid its dues, literally, before earning the right to use district resources.

Now, , at least partially, as the state’s fastest-growing sport has caught on here in STMA.

“It’s unique,” Churchill said. “It’s something different that gives girls another opportunity to compete. It’s fast, and people just really like it.”

Mark, who likens lacrosse to football with “a net and a stick,” said the sport gives athletes a new niche.

“Our school has done a great job at being competitive in so many things. We think this would just be another opportunity.”

Coordinator Craig Cusick got the ball rolling with youth lacrosse clubs over the last two summers, and it has become a force to be reckoned with. From fourth grade through the varsity level, there are teams for all ages competing with other lacrosse clubs around the Twin Cities metro.

But a crisis, of sorts, is emerging at the high school level. Other districts, from Buffalo to Eden Prairie and beyond, are moving to sanction their teams. That leaves club level squads like STMA without teams to play.

“We’re concerned that, if we’re told to stay at this level, the team will just eventually die because their won’t be anyone to put on the schedule,” Churchill said.

Club teams typically arrange, through a coach or coordinator, everything from schedules and transportation to uniforms and field reservations. Sanctioned teams can use the school's activities department, and simply pay activity fees.

As recently as two years ago, Monticello was king of the girls’ lacrosse club level. Now, the Magic are moving to get sanctioned, joining those programs that are leaving the Knights behind.

Numbers aren’t the issue. STMA currently has more than 45 girls set to play this spring, and can easily field two teams – JV and varsity.

More are coming up through the ranks.

“Our class–the Class of 2012–is one of the last that will have 300-plus students. After us, it goes up to 400. At kindergarten and first grade, we have 500 or more. The opportunities need to grow, too.”

The St. Michael-Albertville School Board meets at 7 p.m. tonight at the district offices in to discuss this and other issues.

“They’ve [the board] been great to work with through the process. We understand that it’s strictly a financial issue. But we’re determined to keep coming back,” Churchill, a junior, said. “I’m here for another year, so I’ll be back next year for sure.“