Lacrosse
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Lacrosse |
The Saint Johns University lacrosse club was founded in 1986 by Peter Farrell and a few of his buddies in the basement of Tommy Hall. Since that time, SJU Lacrosse has grown into one of the most dominant lacrosse teams in the Upper Midwest.
"Something like 90 guys turned out. Getting started was a major undertaking as only 2 or 3 of us had ever played the game. Most didn't even own a stick," said Farrell. With the help from a grant from the US Lacrosse Foundation they were able to order equipment and contract out the building of goals.
The first season they were able to put together a few winter practices and only a few games against St. Thomas, Carleton and the Twin Cities Lacrosse Club. The reason for the lack of games for the team was lack of money. Their major fundraisers were unsanctioned parties and "Co-ed Nude Lacrosse" t-shirts.
The next year the lacrosse team developed a reputation on campus as a great group of guys, and an awesome sport that was new to Minnesota. A few rookie players were added to the roster that were new to the sport so they were able to become more competitive in the Upper Midwest.
That Second year they took many memorable road trips to to Grand Forks, Ripon, Twin Cites and Northfield throughout the fall and spring. They even held a tournament in Collegeville during the fall on the Radio Tower fields.
The St. Thomas/St. Johns rival is one that dates back to the Nineteenth Century because of football, but lacrosse has also developed a heated rivalry. In the past a rusty five gallon bucket spray painted red and purple was passed between the winner of each game. That bucket is now lost, or maybe in the basement of some Johnny Lax Alum.
The first core members of the SJU Lacrosse Club were Peter Farrell, Chip Fulack, John Killian, Pete Seltz, Jim Dougherty, Chris Raymond, Jerry Begly, Will, Chuck, Tim, and Dave. The first ever faculty advisor was the former president of Saint John's University; the late Brother Dietrich Reinhardt, OSB.
Past coaches include Mark Hellenack (head coach), Thomas Haugen (assistant head coach/defense coach) and Mike Williams (conditioning coach).
Currently, the SJU Lacrosse Club is coached by Derek Daehn. The club is a non-varsity athletic program affiliated with and partially funded by SJU student services. A player board of directors consisting of a president, vice-president, treasure and secretaries run the club.
(Thanks to Peter Farrell and Kent Smith 92' for their contributions to the History)
MORE PAST HISTORY…There is lots of space to fill here, so if there are any alumni with win loss records and or other SJU lacrosse history, please contact us by email sjulacrosse@csbsju.edu
1986 Record…? 1990 Record…? 1994 Record…? 1998 Record…? 2002 Record…? 2006 Record...?
1987 Record…? 1991 Record…? 1995 Record…? 1999 Record…? 2003 Record…5-12 2007 Record...17-1
1988 Record…? 1992 Record…? 1996 Record…? 2000 Record…? 2004 Record…10-1 2008 Record...12-4
1989 Record…? 1993 Record…? 1997 Record…? 2001 Record…? 2005 Record…? 2009 Record...?