Starting at the core, lacrosse can rid itself of party rep

	By teaching core values at the grassroots level, lacrosse will continue to flourish. AP
	Courtesy of John Yeager

By John M. Yeager, Special to SI.com

The game of lacrosse has a host of shared beliefs, values, customs and behaviors that have endured over time, and in light of the recent news surrounding the Duke men's lacrosse program, this certainly shakes the game to its core.

Lacrosse is one of the few mainstream sports that has a deep and rich tradition in its Native American roots that is very attractive to the aspiring players and coaches. Recent events remind us of the need to better educate our younger players on the core values of the game created by its originators and entrusted to U.S. Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport.

As with teams in most sports, lacrosse teams have their own unique subculture. There are certain nuances, norms and expectations that have been established over time that create the culture. This can be positive or negative.

There is a growing parity in men's college lacrosse teams at every level -- Divisions I, II and III. But Dom Starsia, head coach at Virginia, claims, "The top programs attain [and maintain] their status because they believe in the philosophy of the program -- style of play, standard of behavior on and off the field, respect for each other, practice environment, etc."

Coaching strategies, equipment development and early introduction to the game contribute to stronger, faster and more skilled players -- all of these being positive aspects of lacrosse. However, there is also a sobering and alarming trend seen in alcohol and marijuana use among college players and teams. It's unfortunate, but the pairing of drinking and men's lacrosse is still prevalent in many programs that live the cliché of "play hard and party hard."

John Underwood, the founder of the American Athletic Institute, has presented a number of college athletic programs with NCAA statistics showing that alcohol and marijuana use among college men's lacrosse players continues to rank high. Underwood claims that for many players, drinking starts in high school and prepares them to manifest and even "upgrade" this social behavior in college. In fact, the level of anticipatory socialization, or the belief that hard drinking is the norm, is considered "business as usual" with a number of college and high school teams.

So how do we help to change these subcultures that unintentionally market "play hard and party hard" to young players? Can we ensure that the rich traditions that make lacrosse unique override the hollow raciness of this cliché? Of course, drinking doesn't necessarily mean that one has an ill-formed character. However, when binge drinking prevents players from fully recovering so they do not play to their capabilities, or it creates conflict with others, then we've got some character issues going on.

Peter Lasagna, head men's lacrosse coach at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, understands that heavy drinking is detrimental to the game and a person's body. When he addressed his players on the issue of drinking less, a junior uttered, "I think everyone would do it if they knew we would win more." (Lacrosse players are smart. In fact, according to the latest NCAA statistics, men's lacrosse had the highest graduation rate, 89 percent, of all sports that sponsor championships.)

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Bates captains made restricted alcohol use a much bigger issue than it had ever been before, and the team had its most successful season in school history. "I am learning that we are never done with this issue," said Lasagna. "Many of these players will forget that being better to their bodies translates directly into better practices and games. We will make a large issue of it again this year and every year."

Lasagna's intervention at the college level can set an example for high school coaches on how to influence off-field behavior. "Community and character are linked," says Winchester (Mass.) High boys' lacrosse coach John Pirani, "because the careful coach ensures that his or her players understand they are playing [and practicing] for something larger than their own satisfaction."

At the youth level, those in leadership positions need to develop a mission for their programs that focuses on fundamentals, good sportsmanship and the history of the game. If coaches and administrators do not know about the rich traditions in lacrosse, they should take the time to read about it. This will better prepare them to uphold what matters most. And there should be a concerted effort to minimize any connection to the "party" atmosphere of sports at higher levels.

When clear messages from conscientious administrators, coaches, officials and parents are sent to the players at all levels of the game, there is the greatest opportunity for success, enjoyment and overall satisfaction. When there is common ground among coaches and administrators, not only at the college level but also at high school and youth levels, it sends a more consistent message to the athletes.

Rod Korba, chair of the Men's Officials Committee and Youth Officials Committee of U.S. Lacrosse, believes that "progressive leadership in the game can look at the questions of lacrosse culture and character in pragmatic and productive ways in committing to fight this rear-guard action." With this in mind, lacrosse can continue to be a vehicle for success in providing a training ground to develop positive subjective experiences, positive individual and collective traits, through involvement in positive institutions -- the game, the program, the team and the individual.

John M. Yeager, the author of Our Game: The Character and Culture of Lacrosse, is the Director of the Center for Character Excellence at The Culver Academies in Culver, Ind., and also serves as a consultant to many schools and organizations that address the nature of character and sport. He has played and coached lacrosse at the secondary school, college, club and professional levels. In 1996, he was inducted into the New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame.