THE CREATION OF A SPORTS DYNASTY: How an Affluent Town Shaped the Winning Tradition of a High School Lacrosse Program

Abstract

In the town of Ridgewell, it’s natural for any boy or girl to pick-up a lacrosse stick at a very young age. This thesis explores how lacrosse within this prosperous suburban town is considered so much more than just an athletic activity. Lacrosse has become synonymous with the town (a “Lacrosse Town”), and over the decades, this sport has contributed to shaping its identity, reinforcing their community values, and successfully bequeathing these societal privileges from one generation to the next. Beginning in the 1st grade, boys and girls alike are enrolled in the lacrosse youth program where they start learning the fundamentals of the game and also begin interacting with other kids their own age and affluent status. This ethnographic study investigates the factors that have elevated the Ridgewell High School boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams into an enduring dynasty. To reach such a pinnacle in the sport, my thesis will examine the unwavering contributions from experienced coaches, early player enrollment, proactive family involvement, extensive community participation, and also the overwhelming financial support. At the same time, I will introduce other defining attributes and necessary requirements from the players on Ridgewell lacrosse: dedication, camaraderie, character building, and collegiate aspirations. On a macro-scale, this thesis will also take into account the structural inequalities that limit access to the sport from the neighboring minority communities…and thus, preserving its exclusivity to affluent towns such as Ridgewell.