Introducing the Lacrosse capital
of the Westshore: Rocky River
By Zachary Dzurick
Sports
Published July 6, 2005

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"It is the sport of the future even though it is the oldest sport in North America," Rocky River Varsity Lacrosse coach Chris Lavouge said.

Devotees of lacrosse will tell you that it is also the fastest growing sport in America. Known mainly as an East Coast sport, it is now on the rise in the Midwest. Established for a while on the east side of Cleveland, Magnificat is the only west side girls varsity program. And there used to be no public school varsity teams for either gender on this side of town.

About six years ago, Rocky River Brewing Company owner Gary Cintron was driving to his home when he saw a few kids at the corner with lacrosse sticks.

"It was the first time I had ever seen that in Rocky River," Cintron recalled. "I got home, grabbed my stick and rushed past my wife out the door. I sat there and talked to these kids who had to be wondering who is this guy?"

Brett Mallett attacks the goal during the Rocky River Rec's Youth Lacrosse camp held at the high school. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

It is no longer a strange sight to see lacrosse sticks in the neighborhood. Thanks to the vision of a group of lacrosse loyalists, Rocky River has become the lacrosse capital of the Westshore. Rocky River High School began a varsity program this past school year. And lacrosse sticks are starting to become a common site in this Westshore suburb. The Rocky River Recreation Department started 5th/6th and 7th/8th lacrosse teams in 2000. Last year they added girls teams for 4th-6th and 7th/8th grade. This year they decided to start players in the sport even younger with introduction to lacrosse camps for 1st through 4th graders. The camps take place on Sunday afternoons under the supervision of coaches and some of the area's top high school players.

The first through fourth grade program has been a rousing success with over 80 participants. Recent Magnificat graduate Danielle Hale ended her career as the Blue Streaks all time leading scorer. She is stunned by the prospect of seeing first graders with lacrosse gear.

"I am so jealous of these kids," Hale said. "I started playing when I was in the 8th grade and I thought I had an advantage. To be able to start out so young is really an advantage. They learn the basic skills of groundballs, catching, throwing and basic eye and hand coordination."

Recent St. Ignatius graduate and 1st team All Midwest lacrosse player Joe Boehm agrees.

"This is such a plus for them," Boehm said. "It shows how fast the sport is growing to have kids this young learn about the game. I didn't start until the eighth grade. The kids are doing well. It is so nice for the development of the sport in Cleveland."

Lavouge has waited a long time for the sport to take off.

Magnificat all time leading scorer Danielle Hale takes a water break with campers. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

"It is awesome to see this many young kids out playing the sport and it has been a long time coming," Lavouge said. "The sport helps develop eye hand coordination. It is a very cognitive sport. You have to know where to move and when to move. It is a combination of several great sports into one fantastic sport. Best of all it is fast, hard hitting and high scoring which every kid and parent loves."

Parents enjoy the teaching atmosphere of the camps. The young players all wear helmets and move station-to-station learning skills.

"This is how you do it," said Murray Drell whose 9 year old son Logan attends the camp. "You start them young and get them to love it. Then they stay in the sport. They don't even know they are learning skills. They are just having fun."

Grace Robenalt never imagined her seven-year-old daughter Claire wearing a hockey helmet but she is glad to have her daughter involved in the sport.

"We know a lot of people in the area who play," Robenalt said. "My husband went out and bought some sticks and Claire wanted to do it."

Robenalt enjoys the fact that the boys and girls participate in the camps together and that safety is a priority.

"I think it is great that the camp is co-ed," Robenalt said. "It will give her a little confidence. It is very controlled. There are a lot of volunteers out there. They have taken every precaution. The way it is setup everything is done to keep the kids safe."

In Northeast Ohio, sports have always meant baseball, football and basketball. Youth soccer and hockey programs have made those sports popular in the Westshore community. NOw, the Rocky River Rec Department is developing a whole new sports culture. Its four older youth teams have proved very popular.

"I was surprised at first at how popular it was," Rocky River Recreation supervisor Jason Frolo said. "But once I saw the Sports Illustrated article on how popular it has become, I wasn't surprised anymore. It isn't just baseball, football and basketball anymore. Kids want to go another direction. It is interesting to see how into lacrosse the kids are. We had 60 boys and 50 girls in our program this year, that's huge."

For Hale and Boehm, it is amazing to see so many young disciples to the sport they love.

"To see kids carrying lacrosse sticks in neighborhoods rather than footballs is awesome," Hale said. "It is really exciting. Right now Magnificat is the only school on the west side to have a team. These programs will have benefits for the sport for years to come."

"On every street in Rocky River now you see kids with lacrosse sticks rather than gloves," Boehm said. "I think it is great that Rocky River has a program now. Every year three or four high schools start programs. There are so many youth leagues starting up that high schools have to start teams so they can have some place to play. It is a great thing."

Peter Fahrenkopf's son, Matt, starred for Rocky River's inaugural varsity team. He is proud that Rocky River is on the leading edge of the lacrosse movement.

"I am thankful guys like Skip Guilford, Dave St. Pierre and Gary Cintron have started the program," Farhenkopf said. "They have given young athletes another chance to play a sport. Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America. To have Rocky River in the middle of it says how progressive our community is. It is exciting to be on the front of the curve instead of at the end. I appreciate the Rec department, the high school and the community for taking leadership in this."

Other camp coaches include Gary Levoge, Ryan Pirnat and Matt Bill. Cintron said it was Bill who was instrumental in getting the first through fourth grade camps started.

"He has a son in college and another in high school who play," Cintron said. "He has another little guy who is in the third grade and he didn't want to wait to get him started. It is a natural progression. We were at first excited to have the seventh and eight grades teams so they had a two year head start. Now we aren't content to just teach the basics. Other programs have youth leagues and our kids have to play catch-up. But that is changing. Rocky River is full of potential. Just look at how many kids were at the camp."

Cintron also credits the forward thinking of the Recreation Department.

"Those guys are baseball guys but when Skip went to them, they said what do you need to get started," Cintron said. "They gave us $10,000 to get off the ground."

Cintron has trouble controlling his excitement on how the sport has taken off.

"It is beyond all of our wildest dreams," Cintron said. "We have this great field and excited kids."