Lacrosse league still strong after 20 years
Observer Dispatch (printed July 3, 2002)
by Laurent L. Lawrence
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Marcy - As the sun set on a scorching Tuesday, the Tri-City Lacrosse League's 20th year was in full swing at SUNY IT. Myron's Bar faced Estate Homes for the second time this season. Estate Homes dominated the game until the fourth period when Myron's Bar rallied to tie the game at 5-5.
Myron's Matt Rogers scored twice early in the fourth and was followed up by Chad Wagoner's tying goal. Despite Myron's tenacity, it just wasn't enough to defeat Estate. With just under two minutes to go in the game, a goal by matt Chapple gave Estate Homes the 6-5 win, pushing Estate to a record of 4-2, and dropping Myron's to 3-3.
But win, lose or draw, the fun of the game and their dedication is what draws the men in the Tri-City Lacrosse League to come out an play every Tuesday and Thursday, in the unpredictable weather of a Mohawk Valley summer.
"This league means a lot," said 37 year old Andy Farrell from Whitesboro, who plays for Estate Homes. "Next to being with family and friends, I'd choose to play lacrosse." Farrell, along with several other league members, has been playing since the leagues's inaugural year in 1983.
Myron's Bar coach Paul Noecker, who also has been in the league since its beginning, said that it was started by former Whitesboro players who were looking to have more competition throughout the area.
"The age limit is endless as far as going up, but we try to set the lowest age at 16," said Noecker, who also coaches Mohawk Valley Community College's mens's lacrosse team. "But if you are a varsity player, then you are eligible with your coach's discretion."
And for some of those guys who have stuck with it since th beginning it's all about the love of the league. "We just can't give it up, " said 37 year old Whitesboro native David Babowicz of Estate Homes. "It's all about carrying on a tradition, that's why we are still playing today. Once it gets into your blood, it's hard to give it up."
That statement is further proven by 35 year old Chapple. After going to Clinton High School for one year and playing in the league that first summer that he spent in Clinton, Chapple has returned every year to play. Chapple has been plying since 1986, and now drives from his home in Chittenango on Tuesdays and Thursdays to play for Estate Homes. "It's the most complete league and most organized," Chapple said. "I've been playing with all the same guys since I started."
And for those children who are now able to play in the recently established Brine Upstate lacrosse League (BULL) for children in grades 7-11, the hope is that they, too, will be able to enjoy the league for years to come. "It's a great program, " Babowicz said. "It will help the local schools be more competitive in the league."
"We have got about 500 kids playing that we are going to have to accommodate fo in the mens's league," said Estate Homes' coach Bob Leary. "The growth of the league is great, we have got a lot of young guys coming up and getting experience," Chapple said.
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