Youth lacrosse is fast, fun and growing in popularity

"How is the lacrosse community growing?," asked a young patron attending a Fremont Public Library youth program.

Lacrosse, a team sport similar to soccer and hockey, is fast, fun and gaining in popularity among young athletes.

While team sports such as football, baseball, soccer and basketball have had steady or declining numbers of players, according to the Sport & Physical Fitness Association, youth lacrosse players have increased by 158 percent since 2008.

One of the oldest team sports on record, lacrosse was created and played by many Native American tribes.

The basic concept hasn't changed in more than 200 years. Two teams face off using three-foot-long sticks topped by nets to hurl a small, round ball around opposing team members in a race to bypass the goalie and sink the ball in the goal.

Today's professional teams place nine players and a goalie on the lacrosse field at positions similar to those in soccer. Most high school teams use a football field and modified goal as a lacrosse playing field.

Within the next few years, Illinois will be able to offer varsity-level lacrosse to high school athletes. The Illinois High School Association, the governing body that provides leadership for interscholastic athletics and some nonathletic activities, has a threshold of 65 boys' teams and 40 girls' teams to commit to participation in state series competitions.

At the college level, the most exciting program in the Chicago area is Northwestern University Women's lacrosse, which has won seven national championship titles in eight years under Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller. See the website nusports.com for schedules and updates.

Professional indoor lacrosse is headed up by the National Lacrosse League with nine professional teams that play from December through April. Only six years ago, the Shamrox were the Chicago-area NLL team. Connie Kowal, director of Recreation & Sports Complex, village of Libertyville, was team president.

"We drafted players from college and got to pick designated players from existing teams in the league. Our first ever draft pick, Josh Wasson-McQuigge, University of Hartford, was announced at a press conference at Madison Garden in New York City, and was accepted by his mom since he was still in college," Kowal said.

The Shamrox closed after two years. A professional outdoor league that plays from April to August, Major League Lacrosse, is now in its 15th year.

Youth lacrosse is booming. Libertyville Sports Complex offers indoor lacrosse programs for youth in grades three through high school. See www.libertyvillesportscomplex.com to register for programs.