Keeping The 'Faith' at Glen Park

Beach Dogs Lacrosse camp wrapped up this past Friday at after a week of commraderie, competition and a unique lesson on the history of the sport.

At the first annual "Creators Game Dinner" on Wednesday night, with Delmor Jacobs, "Faithkeeper," nearly 150 fans, supporters and players of the game listened to the history of the sport. Lacrosse is one of North America's oldest team sports and is gaining in popularity throughout New England, with over 500 people involved in the sport on Aquidneck Island alone.

Jacobs, born on the Six Nations of The Grand River Reserve in Ontario, Canada, is a member of the Wolf Clan of the Cayuga Nation.

As Faithkeeper, Jacobs has the unique responsibility to hold and share the history, spirit, tradition and true culture of his nation.

"This is the only lacrosse camp that I know of that has this very important component," he said.

"For us, the game represented a way to learn how to live better together in our community and was originally a peaceful way to end disputes."

Melissa Hopkins, of Lakeville, MA, who attended Wednesday's dinner with her son who plays Lakeville Youth Lacrosse, said she "is in awe."

"It is wonderful to have someone trying to teach the tradition of the sport, and we are happy to be here," she said.

"This game is good medicine," said Cam Bomberry, Head Coach of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team and visiting coach at Beach Dogs Lacrosse Camp. "It has an aspect of good energy. You exert your body and it is cleansing."

Bomberry credits the game for making him who he is today.

"This can be a good vehicle for young people and can create academic opportunities to get a good education and build a future," he said. "We are not only teaching skill development, we are trying to teach the historical aspects so those new to the game can have an appreciation for it's history,"