By no means is it easy for me to write this piece. A lot has been on my mind over the last few months when it comes to social issues facing our country and in lacrosse, the sport I love. Finally, I’m in the headspace where it’s possible to write.
I was exposed to lacrosse while growing up in Anne Arundel County, MD–the sport’s mecca. Unfortunately, my lack of athleticism kept me from excelling at the game. While I accepted my limitations to play the sport, that didn’t sway me from being a fan.
But it wasn’t until I started covering my high school team (as a reporter for the school newspaper) that I really understood that being a fan involves more than just ‘loving the game.’ So I dedicated myself to studying the game–not just on the field, but about all aspects of the sport.
One thing I learned is that the lacrosse community is welcoming. I say that as a non-player who’s also an African American.
What is it? A lot of great people are working to inspire the next generation of players and to transform the sport for the good of the game, players, and fans. By ‘good of the game,’ I don’t mean just the on-the-field version. I mean what lacrosse stands for and values. Here are examples of what I mean.
Jovan Miller
Jovan Miller (Jovi) was an All American lacrosse player at Syracuse University and, then, a Major League Lacrosse All-Star (multiple times). Today, Jovi is a middle school teacher in Charlotte, NC, and runs a successful rec program there as well. For years, Jovi has been outspoken about diversity and race, including expressing his views using mainstream media, including YouTube. Jovi speaks his voice to educate people on historical and current issues, and he relates those issues to lacrosse. It’s worth taking the time to watch and learn.
Jovan Miller (photo, Inside Lacrosse)
MLL Four
There are only four active Black players in MLL today–Mark Ellis (New York Lizards), Isaiah Davis Allen (Chesapeake Bayhawks), Kris Alleyne (Connecticut Hammerheads), and Chad Tolliver (Philly Barrage). The four players have organized a group called ‘The MLL Four,’ and they speak out about the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and various social issues in society and surrounding the game. For example, during the season and post-season play, ‘The MLL Four’ locked arms during the playing of the National Anthem. In my opinion, at first, the league didn’t do a good job of showcasing these players and what they are fighting for. Eventually, (after hearing ‘noise’), MLL gave these players the recognition they deserve, including bestowing Isaiah Davis Allen with the Dave Huntley Man of the Year award.
MLL Four (photo, News Break)
Black Lacrosse Alliance
‘The Black Lacrosse Alliance’ is a group of the black players who play in the Premier Lacrosse League. They self-proclaim themselves as “a beacon of hope to amplify our voices and facilitate change in our sport and beyond.” The group was formed in July following discussions among black players in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
Players use social media to express their thoughts about how to achieve sustainable change in lacrosse and across society. During the PLL championship series, for example, BLA players wore BLM t-shirts and headbands. Players also had the option of wearing a BLM jersey patch. I’m also pleased to say that the PLL has partnered with organizations to support and expand the BLA message.
What’s Next?
While great people are doing great things, I also believe there’s more work to be done. One big issue is uniting across the sport–as the NBA has done–so that ALL players take the same stand, in unison, and do it with conviction. For example, I would like to see ALL pro lacrosse players wear the BLM patch.
In speaking out, know that I do it for my love of the game. I not only love the lacrosse and the lacrosse community, I’m thankful for having been welcomed into the fold. I’m ready to do my part to grow the game–especially to get lacrosse to be where it needs to be. In my eyes, lacrosse is more than a game, and it’s more than a sport.
