Sports: Adrenaline and Speed

For sports fans who MUST HAVE and CRAVE that adrenaline, speed, and fast paced game, there has always been football, hockey, arena football but now a “semi-new,” professional sports league which has been around for awhile is raising steadily onto the radar.

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has been in existence since 1986 when it was known as the Eagle Pro Box League. In 1987 four teams played under this league: Washington Wave, Baltimore Thunder, Philadelphia Wings, and the New Jersey Saints. Today in the NLL, only the Wings still play. During the first season, Baltimore Thunder defeated Washington Wave to claim the title.

In 1988, the EPBL changed to Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL). 1988 also saw the expansion of the league to Boston and Detroit as well as the Saints moving to New York.

1990 really was what some call the beginning of the NLL although not using the name till later. Identical twins who would later go on to become GLADIATORS and AMBSSODORES for the league and the sport of lacrosse were both drafted by the Detroit Turbo franchise. The two brothers were Paul and Gary Gait.

The next year in 1991, the Gait’s scored a combined 79 goals, with Paul racking up 47 and Gary racking up 32. Gary also set records in assists with 36 and points with 68. After going on basically a rampage for the Turbo, the brothers secured a taste of the World Championship after defeating the Thunder of Baltimore and Gary Gait became the Rookie of the Year. 1991, also saw another expansion this time to Buffalo and Boston.

1997, the league becomes known as the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

Jumping ahead to the 1999 season, Gary Gait broke the single game scoring record which his brother Paul set by scoring 10 times.

September 2000, Jim Jennings who is still the Commissioner of the NLL is elected into the position.

In 2001, the Toronto Rock and the Columbus Landsharks have the biggest crowd in league history with 19-thousdand-fiftynine at the Air Canada Center.

2002 brought around the annual event called “Scoop n’ Shoot” which is held to expand the game to youth between ages six and 14.

In this last season the 2004 – 2005 season, the Toronto Rock defeated the Arizona Sting in a record setting crowd over 19-thousand-4houndred-thirty-two during the Edge Champion’s Cup.

THE FUTURE 2005-2006

The league will consist of the: Arizona Sting, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Minnesota Swarm, Phiadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Jose Stealth, Toronto Rock and, will see the expansion once again of the league with news teams in Portland and Edmonton. The Portland franchise still awaits its name and the Edmonton franchise will be known as the Edmonton Rush.

The NLL has also announced it’s 1st Hall of Fame Class to include: Russ Cline and Chris Fritz founders of the EPBLL, Paul and Gary Gait, Les Bartley who passed away May 15, 2002 from colon cancer and led the Rock to 4 Championships in 5 seasons.

Side Notes: The Gait's were also elected into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame this year.

Gary Gait will coach the 2005-2006 Colorado Mammoth.

Photo: Paul and Gary Gait

Official Site: National Lacrosse League (NLL)