Lakeside to add lacrosse to lineup
Randy Hill sees Lakeside as a trend-setter.
The Panthers athletic director remembers when Lakeside High School was the first school in Columbia County to have a wrestling team.
Now, the Panthers will offer a sport that no school in the area has: lacrosse.
Lakeside will begin competing in the spring 2006 season, joining Darlington High (Rome) and Columbus High as the only two schools outside of metro Atlanta that offer lacrosse, a sport that combines elements of soccer, football and hockey.
"We like to set an example at Lakeside," said Hill. "We have an interest from the kids. If we have kids that want to do it, then we should offer it. That is one more sport that we can keep them off the streets and active."
Hill said about 15 students have played club lacrosse in the area and will probably be the core of the team. Hill said he thought about adding the sport early in the year after talking with the lacrosse players from Lakeside.
The county will not provide any money to Lakeside for lacrosse, Hill said, so the cost of the sport, which is relatively expensive compared to other sports, will be the biggest concern.
"Initial equipment will be expensive, but we are going to have our boys pay for most of the equipment. The initial costs will be helmets and uniforms."
Lakeside will also have to travel a minimum of two hours to half of their games.
"Travel was a concern but it's like anything you have to deal with for it to grow. We had to travel with wrestling. I think other schools will pick up lacrosse."
Most of the teams Lakeside will play will be schools with established lacrosse programs.
"You have to be an anvil before you're a hammer," said Hill. "We will probably take lumps at first."
travel a minimum of two hours to half of their games this upcoming season.
"Travel was a concern but it's like anything you have to deal with for it to grow. We had to travel with wrestling. I think other schools will pick up lacrosse."
Most of the teams Lakeside will play will be schools with established lacrosse programs.
"You have to be an anvil before you're a hammer," said Hill. "We will probably take lumps at first."