Cerny said there is strong interest from Muny coaches — some of whom are just starting to learn the ins and outs of lacrosse themselves — in fi nding a fast-paced spring sport for their players to learn.
It could be a fun, productive outlet outside of football season. It could also lead to greater things down the road. “Probably over a dozen of their players have made the NFL, such as Ted Ginn Jr.,” Cerny said. “They’ve got a good history in football, but not all of their guys are going to make it to the NFL. This might be an opportunity to expand their horizons and create opportunities for them.”
TIPPING POINT
So what else is working in Cleveland’s favor? For starters, lacrosse reached a tipping point in Ohio in recent years. After decades of striving to become a sport sponsored by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the state’s governing body for high school athletics, it fi nally was achieved for this upcoming spring for both boys and girls. “That’s a big deal,” said Byrne, who coached at Gilmour Academy and later Shaker Heights High School in the Cleveland area. “A lot of it was really driven in Northeast Ohio.”
That, coupled with the presence of Cleveland State’s program, offers tangible progress and provides optimism the grassroots initiative inside the city can be effective. Cerny is hopeful for a spring 2018 launch of a city program of about 8-10 teams centered around Muny Football. In the interim, his organization will continue to lay the foundation for what has the look of a successful project. There is talk of getting young players to attend a Cleveland State game or two this spring and have hands-on clinics afterward. Training of coaches and offi cials --- many of which are likely to be drawn from the pool already working in area youth football — is also pivotal. “The biggest hurdle is going to be equipment and helmets,” Cerny said. “It’s going to cost $300 a kid. We’ll look to do fundraisers and seek foundation grants. I’m confi dent we can grow the base.” A major part of US Lacrosse’s investment will come in the form of a new turf fi eld, a green space initiative that should make a positive impact in the community almost immediately. “It just fi ts right into the Ohio City area,” Cerny said. So, too, does the prospect of lacrosse’s growth in the years to come. USL
Midfielder Gideon Brockenbrough, attackman Stephen Masi, midfielder Nick Wendel and defenseman Zach Whitenack are members of Cleveland State’s inaugural men’s lacrosse team.
“I THINK CLEVELAND STATE IS GOING TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD
EVEN MORE IN NORTHEAST OHIO,” –Steve Byrne
USlaxmagazine.com
January 2017 US LACROSSE MAGAZINE
47
©BRIAN HART
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