TRAVERSE CITY- Monday night was the first ever meeting between Traverse City Central and Traverse City West in lacrosse. The Titans of West pulled out a thrilling 13 to 12 victory to bring home bragging rights and go down in history as winners of the first matchup.
“I mean, I think anytime you, you play Central there’s some sort of rivalry with, you know, most of these guys were teammates last year. So I think there’s a little bit of that in the back of the mind too. But at the end of the day, you know, we want to win” (Casey Schaub, TCW head coach).
The players aren’t just rivals, they’re former teammates. As up until this year, the two schools shared the field along with a few others on the TC United lacrosse team. But the sport has been rapidly growing in Northern Michigan, and it was time for expansion.
“I mean, we had so many kids in the program, I think last year we had 70 players. We had two varsity programs, varsity teams, and a very large JV. So 70 athletes trying to play one United sport, you know, looking back at it, it makes sense” (David Dobreff, TCC head coach).
“We had such a good thing going with United and all the kids coming together. I feel like that was really good for our community. But now, looking back on it, you know, we got 100 kids between the two, two teams” (Schaub).
The two head coaches were each involved in the TC United Program, and though initially surprised at the news of the split, there was no surprise that the sport itself gained so much popularity.
“It’s just fun. You know, kids love it once. Once they start playing, it sells itself. It’s just a real fun, fast sport to play” (Schuab).
“It’s got nothing to do with us. The game is it’s really it’s a, it’s a it’s a spiritual game. It’s called the creator’s game or the, medicine, the medicine game. And it’s just it’s origins are in vein of American culture. Just a fabulous game. And it draws you in and captures your soul” (Dobreff).
But that doesn’t mean starting a new program was without its challenges.
Transitioning from 2 to 1, how about transportation? You know, now, you know, now we’re having to figure out for, for to for potential bus trips as opposed to two, you know, everything gets double. You know, you need twice as much money to fund us. They’re self-funded teams. So the community has been super supportive” (Dobreff).
As the first year of each program is in full swing, winning is the ultimate goal, but the life lessons athletes can take away from the game are what they’re in it for.“I mean, I think, I think ultimately we would like to be as successful, if not more than successful than what United was” (Schaub).
As the first year of each program is in full swing, winning is the ultimate goal, but the life lessons athletes can take away from the game are what they’re in it for.“I mean, I think, I think ultimately we would like to be as successful, if not more than successful than what United was.
“If you allow kids a passion to pursue, and alternatively, have other parents involved or other coaches involved in mentoring young athletes, I think that’s what the core of something like this is. And lacrosse is one of the great sports. You can really mentor young athletes and teach them. You’re really teaching life lessons out there” (Dobreff).