The Growth in Baltimore Lacrosse For All Ages

Its growth leads to opportunities for all ages.

Written by STACEY KARTEN
Photography by Justin Tsucalas

As the warm weather rolls in, the sport of lacrosse will heat up with thousands of players across the state cradling their sticks, ready to face-off for fun and competition. In the rich history of lacrosse, Baltimore has always been a hotbed for participation in the sport and fan interest, and the game has experienced tremendous growth and popularity the past decade.

“Part of the growth in some measure is the education of officials and coaches, and the equipment manufacturers help grow the game. Obviously, Johns Hopkins University and the Mount Washington Lacrosse Club always had a reputation for excellent lacrosse,” says Colleen Sperry Aungst, public relations manager for U.S. Lacrosse, which is headquartered in Baltimore. “The biggest thing is it’s fun and fast-paced, and requires a lot of skill sets,” she adds.

According to the U.S. Lacrosse membership report and participation survey, there are around 480,000 people who compete in organized lacrosse programs in the United States, with slightly over one-third of those people being female. The number of lacrosse participants has almost doubled in the past seven years.

In regard to youth participation, Maryland ranks first among all of the states with over 50,000 players. Sperry Aungst says she is not surprised at the number of girls playing lacrosse, as opportunities for girls to play all sports has increased over the years.

Pikesville resident Marc Horwitz can attest to the growth of lacrosse locally as he has organized and coached youth lacrosse recreation programs for 17 years. “Interest in lacrosse has definitely grown. Our participation has doubled in the past 10 years,” he says. Lacrosse is a family affair for Keith Askenas of Reisterstown and his two children, Callie and Blake. Growing up in New York, Askenas started playing lacrosse at age 10 when someone gave him a stick. He went on to enjoy a successful lacrosse career playing for Clarkstown South High School in West Nyak, N.Y. and then the University of Maryland in College Park. He still competes in the Maryland Masters Lacrosse League for ages 35 and over, as well as entering various tournaments during the year.

“I love the sport. It’s a way of staying fit and it’s about the relationships and lifestyle,” says Askenas, who believes lacrosse is the sport of choice now among young people.

Although he introduced his children to lacrosse, he says they would have discovered the sport without his encouragement.

“I like it because it’s very physical, but mental as well. It’s a great workout and the positions are versatile. I like how it’s fast-paced,” says Callie, 15, who has played since age 5 in recreation club programs and for Franklin High School.

Also playing since age 5, Callie’s brother, Blake, 12, plays lacrosse in the Reisterstown Recreation program. “You get exercise and there is a technical part to the game, knowing where the ball is and how to make shots,” Blake says. He recalls that he didn’t enjoy playing baseball much and he picked up the game of lacrosse quickly. “Catching and throwing, the stick skills, are difficult and take practice, but hustling and trying hard are something anyone can do on the field,” remarks Blake.

Now playing in his fourth season for the Towson University Tigers, Mitch Rosensweig of Pikesville has been playing for 14 years. “It’s all around Baltimore. As long as I’ve known the sport, it’s been Baltimore and Long Island. I really enjoy the competitive nature of lacrosse, the physicality of the sport, and you’re always moving,” says Rosensweig, who graduated from Pikesville High School.

“Pikesville was always competitive and the game was always fun,” he says, noting that his college team also has five people from California on the roster, which shows the growing national popularity of the sport.

The recipient of the Carl A. Runk scholarship award, presented to one Towson University lacrosse player annually, Rosensweig hopes to continue playing lacrosse beyond college. “I wouldn’t mind playing professionally,” he says.

One Baltimore area lacrosse star who has advanced to the professional ranks is Jesse Schwartzman, former goalie for Johns Hopkins University. Schwartzman is currently the goalie for the Denver Outlaws in the Major Lacrosse League and he was named to the All-Star Team last season. He was a three-year starter for the Blue Jays, a two-time All-American and the NCAA Final Four MVP for the Johns Hopkins University 2005 and 2007 championship teams. Schwartzman and his brother Andrew, a star in his own right who played for the University of Maryland, also conduct a lacrosse academy at the Owings Mills JCC in the summer.

“It’s the fastest sport on two feet in the world. You’re always on the move. There’s something exciting, checking and scoring,” explains Schwartzman. He notes that while many people think of lacrosse as a new sport, it’s one of the oldest sports in North America.

“The Native Americans played on mile-long fields until death,” Schwartzman says.

April 2009