Get ready for a Texas stick fight

Texas Lacrosse takes on Texas A&M today, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. on Whitaker Fields here at the University of Texas. According to the Texas Lacrosse web site, the men in orange are having a successful session with a 7-3 record. I have had the pleasure of seeing the team in action and I am pleased to report they are an in shape group of men that take the field to win every time.

I am not upset with the team at all, however, I am a little perturbed with its fan though. Only half of the fans at the last home game consisted of students. The other half was a scattered mix of high school students, parents, family and retired lacrosse fans. I am a seven-year veteran lacrosse player myself and I would love nothing more than to see lacrosse receive more recognition. The best way I know how to do that is to raise more awareness. I am confidant that blood craving football fans are capable of learning and enjoying this equally fast and entertaining contact sport.

I applaud the team’s efforts to reach more fans through social networking sites such as Facebook. A strong majority of spectators I talked with attended the game because of such online efforts. In addition, the Texas Lacrosse website looks professional and is regularly updated. A professional website allows interested sports fans to take the sport seriously—not view it as just a club sport. Events such as the Little Sister’s Tailgate for the A&M game are also a great way to attract both supporters and newcomers. University of Texas fans love to see rival games (especially A&M), so help them know when the games are. In addition to what has already been done, I would not hesitate to set up a table on campus with a television showing lacrosse highlights. A few players could also draw attention by doing a few flashy stick tricks (every lacrosse player has a couple of those up his sleeve). This could be an entertaining way to allow passer-byers to see the sport, not just a handout. I also think that posters advertising the rival game would be a success. I would place these posters in places such as, the recreation center, Gregory gym, the Flan Academic Center and the dorms. All I want is a strong fan base and a solid win over the Aggies. So “Hook’em Horns” and good luck in the future.