Spring means lacrosse season

I remember moving into the freshman-year dorms at University of Notre Dame, unpacking my lacrosse stick, and getting the weirdest look from my non-East Coast roommate. "Why did you pack that big stick? And what is it?" she asked me suspiciously.

Clearly, things have changed since then. Lacrosse, once just an East Coast-centered sport that brought out eyebrow cocks from my Midwestern friends, has since swept the nation. And while it seems like everyone's already cradling, scooping and checking without my encouragement, as soon as grass begins to peep out from the frozen tundra of winter, I always feel it's my duty to spread the word on where interested Chicagoans and their crews can find the sport come spring.

Chicago Youth Lacrosse offers programming both for boys and girls, with free strength and conditioning sessions through April, spring leagues on the South, North and West sides, and options to choose from one day a week, to two days plus Sunday games, to the travel league. While spring's busy for CYL, summer gets just as active; check out the website for details on summer camps, workouts and teams.

Illinois Girls Lacrosse is another fantastic lax resource for the area. Their spring/summer league runs April 18–June 12, and girls can sign up as close to the day before the first practice (see "registration" on their website). The commitment's twice a week, with practices on Wednesdays (5:30–7pm) and games on Sundays (held between 11am and 4pm). Summer camp info is on their website as well.

We'll see you TOCKids readers out on the field!