Troublesome article

[Jester]

This is from a highly respected and widely read e-newsmagazine. Grossly heavy handed generalizations aside, the author seems to believe that lacrosse players are the embodiment of all that is negative in males and sports combined. It frightens me to think of people agreeing with this.
http://www.slate.com/id/2139536/?nav=tap3

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

That was about the worst piece of journalism ive read in all my life. That was the most offensive group of generalizations Ive seen in a long time. Obviously, Im biased, as is every other person on this message board. I expect that for his next article he will write about how every basketball player is an african-american from an urban area who will become addicted to drugs and live on welfare.

[the lax]

I'm furious with this situation. Just because a girl cried rape doesn't mean it happened. It doesn't mean it didn't either. This is society needs to do away with their policy of "guilty until proven innocent" right now. Because it has ruined the life of Kobe Bryant, and if these lacrosse players are "convicted" of being innocent, it will ruin theirs too.

[StrykerFSU]

I couldn't find any way to write to the author of the piece. I hope one of our more eloquent peers will find the time to answer this piece of stereotyping junk. Can you imagine an article denigrating any other segment of society in this manner? Using one personal example of some insensitive high school coach coupled with urban legends to condemn an entire sport is inflammatory and certainly not responsible journalism. In my experience, Slate.com has always tried to push an agenda. Maybe the author thinks that all lacrosse players are Republicans.

My boycott of Slate.com and MSN starts right now.

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

this is a quite well written response to the article.
http://fray.slate.com/?id=3936&m=17281733

[semilaxed]

I come from an area where the story is the exact opposite. In the south the baseball teams fit his article more than lacrosse players. I have to say congress has never had a hearing on the conduct of lacrosse players. This article could have been written by a high school freshman that had no one to sit with at lunch. This is also the first time I have ever seen an article site American Pie films as credible sources of information. I haven't seen a stretch like that since english 1102. This article goes up there with 41's email in my bank of meaningless crap. If anyone can post this guys email address i would be happy to register him on a bunch of online survey sites. His opinion might count for something there.

[Lax_Stats]

So many individuals have shown their ignorance as well as immaturity when it comes to this situation, that it simply blows my mind!!!

[Hackalicious]

This is from a highly respected and widely read e-newsmagazine. Grossly heavy handed generalizations aside, the author seems to believe that lacrosse players are the embodiment of all that is negative in males and sports combined. It frightens me to think of people agreeing with this.
http://www.slate.com/id/2139536/?nav=tap3

I did a little sleuthing. I think this is legit.

djamieson@washcp.com

Be polite, kids.

[semilaxed]

ok so im not actually going to do the survey thing. I believe that won't help the situation at all. But taking a clue from "papa bear" bill o'reilly i feel this mans email address should be made public based on his attack on the community as a whole.

I am supporting people sending him tasteful well thought out emails. Please don't send discracful messages that he can later site against us. Nothing crazy, its just an article begging for attention. He doesn't need to wake up with a horses head tomarrow.

[Hackalicious]

ok so im not actually going to do the survey thing. I believe that won't help the situation at all. But taking a clue from "papa bear" bill o'reilly i feel this mans email address should be made public based on his attack on the community as a whole.

No. Don't do anything stupid with his e-mail address. Send him a polite note explaining why you disagree with his article and are disappointed that he is perpetuating a largely false stereotype.

Also realize that his article is an unsuccessful attempt at tongue-in-cheek humor. Sending him e-mail saying "Dude, I hate Skoal and never wear a dirty baseball cap!" makes it seem like you're missing the point of his dumb jokes.

[Andy Sharp]

I offered this email to the author:

Greetings Dave,

I lived in Northern New Jersey till I was 11 and have seen pockets of the snobbery and elitism in lacrosse. I also played on the high school team that the movie "American Pie" references and know who many of the characters in that movie are based on; they are real people with real faults that can legitimately be referenced as lacrosse players.

The problem is that lacrosse is no longer the sport you write of, it has grown tremendously. In a way it has moved back towards the true sport Native Americans designed it as, one to toughen braves for actual combat and as training for the art of war, and away from the lifestyle game it has been made out to be in so many people's eyes.

Today, the game is played all over the US; the growth has been remarkable. The sport is develops student athletes both athletically and mentally to be quick and strategic, thinking steps or passes ahead in hopes of gaining advantage. This sport rivals all in how individual athletic talent, teamwork, and execution are required and exemplified during competitive games.

It's really too bad the media (you) are stuck in the old days with all that has been referenced during this height of publicity for the sport. The media should become aware of its evolution into a sport that today's students are attracted to, where everyone playing is involved and active, bringing in athletes who want the best of football, basketball, and hockey.

I'd suggest you contact those who oversee much of lacrosse's growth for another perspective, like those at US Lacrosse (http://www.uslacrosse.org/).

In the end, I hope that America will at least know the difference between lacrosse and rugby and that "La Crosse" is a city in Wisconsin, while "lacrosse" is what the neighborhood kids are playing down at the park.

Sincerely,

Andy Sharp

College Lacrosse Coach
HS/MS Lacrosse Official
Club Lacrosse Player

Here was his response 5 minutes later:

Andy,

Thanks for your thoughtful letter, which gives me something to think about. Also, it was a nice break from the hate mail.

Be well,

Dave

[the lax]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2404002

No DNA match