Elsewhere, the story is much different. A new national survey by a lacrosse trade group shows that 1,600 high schools currently sponsor boys programs that are either sanctioned by athletic departments or recognized as school-affiliated clubs. The number of girls lacrosse programs is 600. The reasons for the lagging participation by boys in lacrosse at Shore Conference schools vary. They include excessive costs and unavailability of fields.
Girls play non-contact lacrosse, as specified by the rules, so the equipment costs are minimal.
If only more boys got to try the sport that O'Donnell tried . . . Mike Dowd has been trying to create wider interest in boys lacrosse ever since he launched the first local boys team at Manasquan 12 years ago. Dowd, who played lacrosse in college, said the reasons not to start a program are getting old. I don't think cost is that big a factor. It is more work to do, and people aren't willing to do it.