By ELENI REED
Lacrosse is North America's oldest sport, but has most of its
popularity on the East Coast. Three years ago, Cal State Fullerton
students sought to bring the trend westward and have small, but
growing, momentum.
With about 45 members strong, CSUF's lacrosse team is up and coming, but without financial assistance.
"Basically
we are an NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] team, but we
are our own administration," said Ricardo Martinez, 20, president of
the lacrosse team.
Martinez said the group has to pay for its
own league dues, training, coaches, referees for each game and
equipment. Also the team pays for its own travel and to host games on
campus.
During the spring semester, the lacrosse team will be
hosting teams from schools such as USC and UC Irvine. The team will
also be taking a trip to play UNLV.
"Over time there's a lot that adds up. It becomes expensive," said Julian Galindo, 19, vice president of the lacrosse team.
Galindo said lacrosse is just as pricey as playing football.
Both Martinez and Galindo agree the sport is worth the fees and continue to play for the love of the sport.
"There's
a very small amount of people who play [lacrosse] on the collegiate
level. That's a very special thing and it's what keeps me playing,"
Galindo said.
He said the team is trying to make CSUF love lacrosse, but it's hard being such a small entity.
Martinez said CSUF currently does not have a football team and hopes lacrosse can fill its shoes.
"[It is a] very exciting [sport]. It is full contact and an alternative to football," Martinez said.
He said the majority of the players come from a football background and agree lacrosse is more fun to play.
Despite the entertainment the game offers, Galindo said the ultimate goal is to start an outreach program.
"We're trying to meet with a place on campus that does outreach or some sort of community service," Galindo said.
So far this young squad has begun to make progress. Martinez said there
will be a women's lacrosse team starting this semester at CSUF.
In
order to support all the needs of the lacrosse team, it will be holding
its second annual casino night at the Imperial Ballroom, located in
downtown Fullerton. The event is Saturday and begins at 7 p.m. The
fundraiser is open to all ages, but cocktail attire is required.
"The
event is formal attire, but at the very least, men should wear a shirt
and tie," said Mitch Lasser, 23, treasurer of the lacrosse team.
He said the team has sold 350 tickets so far and the event should be fun.
Guests
pay $20 pre-sale or $25 at the door. The money is exchanged for game
money and can play any one of the professional tables, which include
craps, roulette, black jack and poker. The dealers are Las
Vegas-trained, Lasser said.
At the end of the night, the person
with the most money can win a Nintendo Wii. Other items for winning are
an iPod, tickets to the Anaheim Arsenal, a minor league basketball team
for the Los Angeles Clippers and restaurant coupons.
The
occasion will also showcase two live bands and a DJ for entertainment.
Alcohol is available for those 21 and over and Lasser said the premises
will be under surveillance for any underage drinking.
"In addition, 30 to 40 lacrosse players will be auctioned off for dates," Lasser said.
The men range in age from 18 to 23, but Lasser predicts the men's girlfriends will be buying them.
Florian
Zitzelsberger, 20, computer science major, will be attending the event.
He said he knows some poker, but defiantly plans to win the Wii.
"All my friends are going ... and I wanted to [check it out]," Zitzelsberger said.
Three years ago, Cal State Fullerton brought lacrosse westward and have small, but growing, momentum.
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