The Woodlands High School Lacrosse going back to its roots to grow the game...

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Back in the late 90s and on into the 2000's after The Woodlands High School had already been playing the game of lacrosse for a few years, local resident Keith Tintle (now the TWHS head coach) and then Oak Ridge Elementary School PE teacher, Janelle Murray got together and decided the best way to introduce lacrosse to potential players was to offer it as part of the PE curriculum. As it turned out, it was a huge hit with the students who were all a bit disappointed it wasn't offered for more than just one week. Upon Tintle's exit on the fifth day, every student was given an invitation to a free Lacrosse Extravaganza Day which was held a month later.

Tintle had no way of knowing what the turnout might be because the Oak Ridge Elementary School Lax curriculum was the first of its kind. Segue to the Extravaganza held at the then Mustang Athletic Club next to Chuy's... Tintle and his disciples were ready with over 100 sticks which would seem to be plenty to shoulder the load. WRONG! Well over 100 showed up and some had to share. In the handout a month earlier it was suggested to the students to feel free to bring friends from other schools. Well, it appeared as if they followed directions to the hilt. That's what happens when you have great teachers such as Mrs Murray. Janelle would later move on to Mitchell Intermediate School...and yes Lacrosse followed as well.

The Extravaganza involved drills and contests as well as a whole heck of a lot of candy for the participants. Upon its completion the kids and their parents were given information as to the new youth program being offered and where to buy equipment. One of the fun activities involved a resident with whom volunteered to be the clown in the "Score on the Clown" competition. This guy went out and bought a whole clown suit to include those long red shoes and had his face painted to go along with the big colored hair. The participants flocked to this station in droves and it went on almost all day until a proud third grader took aim and sent a shot somewhere above the clown's knees and below his chest and that... as they say...was the end of that. The guy went out and bought the whole clown suit and forgot to buy gear that might have saved him some unwanted agony.

With the help of Janelle, more PE teachers got wind of what went on at Oak Ridge Elementary and were soon offering lacrosse such as Lamar Elementary's Carol Redding and Powell's Mary Kershbaum and Lacrosse was just as big of a hit at both places. A future Powell Lax student and state champion, Jack Barron now plays lacrosse on scholarship at Furman.

Looking back, it was the PE classes that have made lacrosse what it is to this day and the biggest reason The Woodlands High School won their first state championship earlier this year.

THIS JUST IN: Powell Elementary is now offering Lacrosse in PE class AGAIN thanks to Powell PE Guru, Pamela Owens. Monday was the first day and once again it was a big hit. Coaching these classes is The Woodlands High School JV Head Coach, Joe Watson. I'll let Joe tell you about himself...

"My name is Joseph Watson and I am currently the Head JV Lacrosse Coach at The Woodlands Lacrosse Program. Being a part of the program brings me a great amount of joy, happiness and gratification as well as excitement for the organization and for the sport of lacrosse. As a former player and a current coach, the love for the sport is at an all-time high and it’s amazing to see how we are starting to get sticks in younger players hands every year. It actually makes me incredibly envious because my lacrosse journey started as a sophomore in high school at the Klein Oak Lacrosse Program. Many of the players at The Woodlands are starting out at second, third and fourth grade.

Although lacrosse started rather late for me, I was able to earn All-State honors as a base defenseman and work my way up to being recruited to play at a small DIII college, Fontbonne University. While at Fontbonne University, I was a four year starter and captain. The realization of how competitive lacrosse is at the college level is incredible. The weak link teams in high school are few and far between at the next level and each individual must put in the work in the weight room, on the wall and in video sessions to be on top of every week. I didn’t even mention the importance of studying because as a student athlete, we are first a student and then an athlete. During my freshman and sophomore years in college I was fortunate to make a Developmental DIII USA U-19 and U-20 team that traveled to Berlin, Germany (2007) and Melbourne/Brisbane, Australia (2008). This was an incredible experience that I will never forget. We played some great club teams as well as many national teams including the national teams of Australia, England, Japan, and a few other national teams.

Now that I am working with The Woodlands Lacrosse Program, I am investing a lot of time with the youth programs to help them be better prepared for high school and beyond, wherever that may be. I have been reaching out to the elementary and intermediate schools that feed The Woodlands Program and have actually started actively working with their PE teachers and students. It has been a blast as well as insane to hear 180 kids a day screaming and laughing over the sport of lacrosse. The gratification I feel from this is immense and I feel so fortunate that I am able to bring exposure to the sport and grow it within the community. My ultimate hopes are that I can do this for every school and grow the sport in the Houston area and make the sport as competitive as it is along the east coast."

So, be looking for the great sport of lacrosse at a school near you!

Any lacrosse related questions can go to Doug Sarant at pressbox_92@hotmail.com. or 713-377-0712

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