Potential Big Step for Northern Minnesota Lacrosse

Duluth School Board considers adding lacrosse as club sport

The Duluth Chargers and Nighthawks boys and girls lacrosse players who attend Denfeld and East high schools may be able to earn varsity letters this year if the Duluth School Board approves it next month. By: Jana Hollingsworth, Duluth News Tribune

The Duluth Chargers and Nighthawks boys and girls lacrosse players who attend Denfeld and East high schools may be able to earn varsity letters this year if the Duluth School Board approves it next month.

Duluth Chargers youth player in action

Board members for the Chargers program spoke to the School Board on Tuesday asking for lettering approval for the local club teams and building interest for eventual varsity status within the school district.  Andy Holak touted the fast-growing nature of the sport, noting growth of the boys team from 100 students last year to 142 this year.  Students within the program include those from Hermantown, Cloquet, Superior and Marshall, but the majority of players come from Duluth schools.

“Lacrosse attracts that nontraditional student that might not participate in a team sport otherwise,” Holak said.

The most growth is coming from younger kids, he said.

Board members said they supported the effort but were concerned about adequate funding for another varsity sport.

“That’s the difficulty here,” Chairman Tom Kasper said. “We support this if funding can come into place.”

Member Mike Miernicki said planning needed to involve Title IX logistics, ensuring there are equal numbers and expenses for boys and girls, and getting southerly teams to come play in Duluth.

The hope, said youth lacrosse coach Pat O’Connell, is to have lacrosse sponsored and funded by the Duluth district in 2016. Players from other schools would remain as a club team. The 12-year-old club has wanted to build a varsity program for years, he said. If it achieved that status in Duluth schools, it would probably play against schools already in the Minnesota State High School League such as St. Cloud Tech, White Bear Lake and Roseville.