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My old high school has formed a girls' lacrosse team (actually, a couple years ago now). As far as I know it functions on what you might call a "club" basis at present, and I understand a fair number of other high schools have also started lacrosse programs on a similar basis...this may be primarily a metro area phenomenon, I'm not sure. I do know that the number of participants joining the team begun at my former HS has grown / increased very quickly and enthusiasm for the sport seems to have also increased rapidly...maybe even "skyrocketed" is fair to say. I'm wondering if continued growth of, and increasing interest / participation in lacrosse could be a threat or obstacle to continued growth in girls HS hockey? A pretty large percentage of the girls (involved in lacrosse) I've spoken with have told me lacrosse is, or has become their favorite sport. A considerable number of these players were hockey players first. I'm just wondering if lacrosse might eventually become THE sport among young girls, who then concentrate, or focus on that sport primarily with the ultimate fallout being fewer and fewer girls taking to hockey at an early age. I would hope that isn't the case in Minnesota...and perhaps I'm way off base in my perceptions. I'm interested in what others involved in either sport might have to say...or if someone might have some recent growth numbers for either sport. Or if anyone thinks lacrosse could become a varsity sport (widespread) in the future.

LAX is big out East I believe?

It is a game that I anticipate many Soccer/Hockey players will take up as there is much similarity....

Let's hope that that doesn't mean less G Hockey players, but it could for various reasons.

As I've suspected for a year or two, it appears to me LAX is on it's way to becoming a varsity sport with more schools participating. I'm fairly sure there are more teams now than were represented at this meeting...know of a couple for sure. There does seem to be a growing din around LAX. Hope my concerns are unfounded but I admit to being a little nervous at the prospect of LAX encroaching on the high school hockey scene...prolly more so for the girls than the boys, at least potentially.

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/sports/2006glacrossemtg.htm

Lacrosse is an official minnesota state high school league sport in both boys and girls. I dont see how it effects hockey though. They are played in two completely different seasons. I would encourage my players to try lacrosse as it looks like it is a great sport for kids.