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The sport of lacrosse is a truly American sport. Native American tribes, primarily in the northeastern quarter of the continent, have played the game for centuries. French colonialists, upon seeing the curved, netted sticks that were being used to play the original game, confused the device with the Bishop's crook - and called it "La Crosse". The lacrosse stick used in the modern game is still termed "the crosse" in official rulebooks. Lacrosse has grown to be a major collegiate and professional sport in the United States and to a lesser degree an international sport that is played from Europe to the Far East. In the United States, high school lacrosse is as popular as football and baseball in many New England and Atlantic Coast schools. The MSLA was created in 1991 to promote the sport of lacrosse in Missouri High Schools. The Association began as a group of local lacrosse enthusiasts and parents who felt that the sport could thrive in the St. Louis region and eventually be spread to other regions of the state. Although there were only 5 teams affiliated with the MSLA in 1991, there are now 31 Varsity Boy's, 3 JV Boy's, 23 Varsity Girl's and 1 JV Girl's teams in St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia. The Association sponsors a regular spring season followed by a State Championship Tournament. Coaches volunteer their time and experience to promote and improve this exciting game here in the Midwest. Referees are also drawn from the local population and are members of the Mid-America Lacrosse Officials Association (MALOA). The teams, coaches and referees are also members of U.S. Lacrosse. In the MSLA, NCAA rules are followed with exceptions made only for High School situations. The MSLA fully supports Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) and NCAA academic and sportsmanship policies. There is zero tolerance in the MSLA for unsportsmanlike conduct on the field or on the sidelines. Also, each player must be academically eligible to play as attested by their school's Athletic Director. |
Two schools, MICDS and Rockhurst, directly support and manage their Boy's teams. Similarly, the Missouri Women's Athletic Association schools, MICDS, Burroughs, Nerinx, Ursuline, Villa and Whitfield, also support their Girl's teams. All other MSLA teams are still classified as "club" sports that must support themselves. Although each team carries the name of the High School representing the majority of team members, there is no MSHSAA official sanction or support. As the MSLA grows and the number of schools with clubs continues to increase, public support and widespread school sanctioning will eventually become a reality. Until then, each team must buy its uniforms and equipment and find playing locations for both practices and home games. Many MSLA teams travel at least once each season to out-of-state locations for games and intense lacrosse experiences in various parts of the United States. The current MSLA membership consists of Boy's and Girl's Varsity and JV teams from the St. Louis, Kansas City metro areas, Columbia, Springfield and Cape Girardeau . New teams have formed for the 2006 spring season - these new teams will compete at the JV level for their first season. Because of the growth in interest in lacrosse in the area, USLacrosse has recognized the MSLA by inviting the MSLA to nominate High School All-Americans for national recognition. As seniors these All-Americans may also be selected to play in the North-South All-Star game played each year. Academic All-Americans are also be nominated.
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