"The Creators Game": Analyzing the Sociological Changes that Helped Modernize the Sport of Lacrosse

Abstract

My thesis explores the transition of lacrosse from a sacred and spiritual Native American tradition to an upper class, predominantly white sport associated with high levels of class and wealth within the United States. Using sociological frameworks such as the sociology of religion, sport, schools, education, and markets, this study helps analyze how specific cultural, institutional, and economic factors reshaped the identity of the sport over time. As the sport progressed, the development of the game at the professional level through the National Lacrosse League (NLL), and Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), the study highlights how media advancements, marketing strategies, sponsorships, and iconic figures continued to push the game forward in the 21st century. The rapid progression of the game caused the original story of lacrosse to diminish, as institutional control began to take over and reshape the narrative of the sport. Many less fortunate Native American individuals that grew up in low-income communities and families were able to discover their own unique pathway that ultimately got them to the top of the sport today, many of them being some of the best players in the world. This shows that despite the sports shifting identity, Indigenous excellence and resilience still occurs. Through the lens of lacrosse, this thesis underscores how power dynamics and cultural shifts can cause communities and societies to adapt to new ways of living. However, the strong ties between lacrosse and the Indigenous heritage demonstrate that these cultural roots will always represent the history of the game, showing that social mobility has a strong connection within the world of lacrosse.