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WEST MILFORD - LAX program may come to HS
(by David M. Zimmer - Staff Writer - October 02, 2008)
WEST MILFORD - Due to the increasing demand for lacrosse programs across all age groups, the West Milford Youth Lacrosse Organization is asking the district to institute a high school lacrosse program for the 2009 spring season.
Michelle Vogt, the director of the West Milford Youth Lacrosse Organization, petitioned the Board of Education on Sept. 23 to consider starting a high school interscholastic program. She said the interest in expanding the township’s lacrosse program from parent-run club teams will continue to grow every year among children and their parents. With more than 200,000 high school lacrosse players across the nation in both boys and girls leagues, it is the fastest growing interscholastic sport in the country.
Vogt said starting a school-based program this year is feasible for several reasons, including the fundraising ability of the youth lacrosse organization, the success of the youth program last year and the availability of a former lacrosse coach who currently works for the district.
West Milford High School Athletic Director Tim Gillen said he is assessing and evaluating the capabilities of the township and the athletic department to see if another sports program can be added in the future. However, Gillen said that there is no timetable for this evaluation and that he is not even considering adding a lacrosse program at this time.
Currently, West Milford is one of the only districts in the area lacking a lacrosse program as Jefferson, Sparta, Vernon, Kittatinny, Kinnelon, Wayne, Montville and Oakland all have their own teams. Also, Lakeland Regional High School's Board of Education recently voted to start a junior varsity lacrosse program next spring.
Vogt described the sport as a mix of basketball, soccer and hockey, adding that it is the type of activity anyone can enjoy since it requires speed, accuracy and cunning more than size. Starting a new program in the high school would only require 14 girls and 15 boys to play on the respective teams, she added.
More than 50 children took part in the initial run of the youth program last year, including 20 from the middle school, Vogt said. Some of those students have gone on to high school and have no team to play on, she said. Currently, the township has club teams for grades 7 and 8, grades 5 and 6, and grades 3 and 4.
Creating a district-affiliated lacrosse program in West Milford would not only help benefit the health and fitness of students who are looking for an alternative sport to participate in, but also provide opportunities that could benefit students in the future, Vogt said. There are more than 500 college lacrosse programs in the nation, most offering scholarships.
Vogt said she would return to the board’s regular meetings each month to petition for a lacrosse program on behalf of township students.
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