Red Star Youth Lacrosse is bringing a new sport to Cheyenne River.
The Red Star Youth Lacrosse takes hold on Cheyenne River Reservation
By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Managing Editor EAGLE BUTTE — A town known for producing talented basketball players and wrestlers is beginning to pay attention to the sport of lacrosse. Eagle Butte, located in central South Dakota, has produced some of the most dynamic high school basketball players in South Dakota history. Some youth however, are trying to transfer their natural athletic ability over to the lacrosse field by participating in the Red Star Youth Lacrosse program under the guide of Cody Hall. According to Hall it has been over 150 years since there was a dedication to the sport by Native people on the Northern Plains. The sport that is well known amongst Indian people in the northeastern U.S. owes its origin to a similar game played by Native peoples across the country prior to colonization. Just this year two Mohawk brothers were awarded the Tewaaraton trophy that is given out to the top collegiate lacrosse player in the country. Miles and Lyle Thompson were the first players in the history of the award to share the honor of being named college lacrosse’s best. Hall says that the play of Native athletes on ESPN inspired him to start up the program. “I envisioned it last year and it wasn’t until January and I was watching a game on ESPNU and one of the commentators kept emphasizing how it is a native sport. That is when it clicked that we had to do something,” said Hall. Currently Red Star Youth has between 7-12 children participating in practices and drills but Hall hopes to see those numbers grow. “It’s more than just a sport program, there is a spiritual side to it,” said Hall. The program has received donations from the University of Denver, University of Minnesota, as well as several others on the east coast and is the first program of its kind on a reservation to be linked to USA Lacrosse. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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