Evening star., 1924-04-07
dissertation follows:
Originated by Indians.


His dissertation follows:
Originated by Indians.
\ relic of early American times is
lacrosse and IL comes to satisfy the
twentieth century demand for speed,
skill and constantly recurring thrills.
Lacrosse originally was played by the
American Indian with goals two miles
apart and with thousands Of braves
taxing part in a single contest These
games were a preparation for actual
warfare and were often fought to the
death.
As with all the serious undertake
IngS of the American Indian, it was
considered necessary To consult with
the spirits and invoke their aid. 50
the game had a religious as well
An athletic side.
The night before the game each
tribe left its encampment shortly.
after dark; all the men attired in
their athletic regalia- not unlike that
of Gungha Din in quantity and at
tended Ivy squaWs carrying torches.
with nothing to hinder their move
mentS eNCent Il loin cloth, a coat OF
paint and IA belt to which II horse tail
or prairie grasses were attached. the
braves went through their part of
the weird ceremonial dance by the
light of the torches.
As an Indian lacrosse game was an
occasion par excellence on the cal
endar Of events. not only did this
'
ceremony. but the day of the contest
was given up to that alone; squaws
attended carrying whips to Scourge
any tagging braves; tribes bet their
blankets. their ponies. their every
possession. on the outcome of the
contest.
From a sport adapted from the In
dians by Il few Canadians, the game
has progressed until today 1t is
played by nineteen eastern colleges
and universities. as well as by many
secondary schools and club teams. to
say g.. nothing ,,ia OF teams in Engiand' zagiand
South Africa and ireland.
Call for Great skill.
The game has been speeded up and
refined since Indian days, so that now
it is sixty minutes of Superlative
speed, skill, endurance and quick
thinking-in short from the specta-
tors viewpoint. il is solid hour OF
simultaneous hair raising, heart
quickening thrills. requiring the en-
durauce' of. foot ball, the speed of
track. the assets of clever tennis
player and exceptionally quick think
ing.
There never was Il pitching ace who
could throw a base ball faster than
a. lacrosse player can shoot the hard
rubber sphere at the net. There never
was an outfielder who could catch Il
fly bali while at top speed with any
more skill than the lacrosse athlete
captures the pellet III his SnoWShoe-
like net.
The lacrosse ball is constantly in play,
usually in the air. Il feature that dis
tinguisheS it from all other games. The
players cover more ground in less time
than do participants in any other
game. The average fan usually is
satisfied with one sensational play Il
game. Lacrosse gives Il thrill a min
ute.
Battle Here Promised.
Washington is particularly fortunate
in being very close to two of the coun-
trys greatest lacrosse teams, and this
good fortune reaches its climax next
Saturday, April l., when the Naval
Academy and the University of Mary
land, rated first and third. respectively,
among the twelveS Of 1928. will cross
sticks at Central High School Stadium
Lacrosse still is IA war game and it
should be a fight to the finish when
the Midshpmen and the Old Liners
who played very close game al Annap-
oils last year. line up for two thirty
minute periods.