Hendrix Lacrosse Debuts on Sunday
CONWAY, Ark. (Oct. 4, 2007) – Hendrix College is previewing its new lacrosse team by hosting a round-robin lacrosse exhibition event on Sunday, highlighting the relatively new sport to Arkansas. But the event is about more than lacrosse – proceeds from the sale of T-shirts at the event will benefit an overseas military troop adopted by Hendrix’s team.
Hendrix has the only NCAA-sanctioned lacrosse team in Arkansas, which plays at Warrior Field at the college’s new $23 million Wellness and Athletics Center. It will host club teams from the University of Arkansas and Harding University on Sunday – Harding and the University of Arkansas will play at 4 p.m., followed by Hendrix and Harding at 5:30 p.m. and Hendrix vs. the University of Arkansas at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
“Sports fans in Conway and throughout central Arkansas will enjoy this contact sport,†said Jeremy Lichtig, Hendrix College’s head lacrosse coach. “Sunday’s event will provide an excellent opportunity for those curious about lacrosse to see what the sport is all about.â€
Lichtig said the sale of $10 T-shirts promoting Hendrix’s Lacrosse – the first lacrosse shirts available for sale – will benefit the Kentucky-based 632nd Movement Control Team, a military unit serving in Iraq that was adopted by members of the Hendrix lacrosse program. The 632nd was adopted through America Supporting Americans (ASA), a program that provides the opportunity for lacrosse teams to support troops abroad through direct interaction.
Money raised will be used to purchase comfort supplies needed by the military team members, including books, snacks, magazines, games and a variety of other items commonly requested by troops serving abroad. A package will be sent to the 632nd next week.
The idea for adopting a unit came after Lichtig, who has worked at the U.S. Naval Academy for the past six summers coaching at lacrosse camps, recently met a group of soldiers who had just returned from serving abroad. Adopting a unit is even more personal for Hendrix’s Lacrosse team because one of its members, Zack Barlow of Little Rock, is a member of the Arkansas National Guard. Most of Barlow’s unit is expected to be deployed to Iraq early next year.
“We have a lot of respect for those men and women serving our country over there,†Lichtig said. “We’ve already talked to members of the team and have enjoyed interacting with them.â€
Hendrix College, founded in 1876, is an undergraduate liberal arts college emphasizing experiential learning in a demanding yet supportive environment. The college is among 150 colleges featured in the 2007 edition of the Princeton Review America’s Best Value Colleges. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.
