Fork Union Military Academy has announced a national search to find the head lacrosse coach who will be a dynamic leader in growing the PG Lacrosse program.

The head coach position has a projected start date of August 8, 2023.

The Academy will field its first PG Lacrosse team in the 2024-2025 school year.

For a complete description of the position and requirements, and to submit an application for this position, please visit this job posting page.

Lacrosse is a fast-paced, dynamic sport that has evolved into a popular team sport played around the world. In the game, two teams compete to score the most goals by hurling a small rubber ball into the opposing team's net using a long-handled stick, known as a crosse, with a mesh or leather net at one end. The sport is well-regarded for its unique blend of speed, agility, skill, and strategy.

It's played at multiple levels, from youth leagues to high school and college competitions, and professionally. There are field, box, and women's versions of the game, each with slightly different rules and equipment, but all share the core elements of teamwork, athleticism, and tactical thinking that make lacrosse a compelling and engaging sport.

The game of lacrosse has a rich history, and it's one of the oldest team sports in North America. It originated among Native American tribes, primarily in what is now Canada and the northeastern United States, as early as the 1100s.

Traditional lacrosse, known as "stickball" or "the Creator's game", had deep cultural significance for Native American tribes. It was often played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, or prepare for war. The games were major events that could last several days, with as many as 100 to 1,000 men participating on fields that could stretch for miles.

The sport was first observed and documented by European settlers in the 17th century. French explorers and missionaries, such as Jean de Brébeuf, noticed the game being played by Huron tribes in what is now southeastern Canada. Brébeuf is credited with naming the game "la crosse" due to the stick's resemblance to a bishop's crosier.

However, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that lacrosse started to evolve into the modern, organized sport we know today.

Lacrosse underwent major transformations in the 19th century. A Canadian dentist, Dr. William George Beers, a member of the Montreal Lacrosse Club, codified the rules of the game in 1867, reducing the team size, setting field dimensions, and establishing other key rules. Beers' work helped popularize the sport beyond its indigenous origins.

The adoption of lacrosse by schools and colleges began in earnest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first intercollegiate lacrosse tournament was held in 1881, with New York University, Princeton, Rutgers, and Columbia participating. The sport steadily gained popularity, and in 1971, the NCAA began sponsoring a men's lacrosse championship.

In recent decades, lacrosse has seen significant growth at the high school and collegiate levels. According to USA Lacrosse, participation doubled from 2001 to 2010. More than 340,000 students participate in high school lacrosse, and over 1,200 collegiate men's and women's programs exist across all NCAA divisions.

The sport's rapid growth, combined with its rich history and deep cultural roots, makes lacrosse a compelling addition to any school's athletic offerings. Its unique blend of speed, skill, and strategy offers opportunities for physical development, teamwork, and leadership that align well with educational goals.

As such, the introduction of lacrosse programs, like the one proposed by Fork Union Military Academy, is a significant step forward in supporting student-athletes and promoting the sport's continued growth.