LIFE's Vintage Lacrosse Images

In the 21st century no sport has grown faster than lacrosse. While the game began in this country—it was invented by Native Americans long before the arrival of Europeans—for much of the 20th century lacrosse remained regional and niche, with little participation outside traditional hotbeds in the Northeastern United States.

During LIFE’s original run from 1936 to 1972, the sport was rarely covered in the magazine. But in its April 18, 1969 issue LIFE ran a multi-page story about lacrosse headlined “The Little Brother of War,” a phrase drawn from a Cherokee description of the game. The story discussed both lacrosse’s Native American roots and also ihow it was becoming the hot sport in American schools. “At some prep and high schools lacrosse has become so popular that athletic directors refuse to grant it varsity status out of fear that their top baseball, track and tennis will defect to it,” LIFE wrote.

The rich color photos for the story were shot by Arthur Rickerby, who frequently took on sports assignments for LIFE—check out, for instance, his remarkable images of Willie Mays’ return to the Polo Grounds. For this story Rickerby showcased lacrosse in both high school and college. In some games players battled the elements—be it the snow in Vermont or the mud in Maryland.

As evidence of the sport’s popularity, LIFE’s story noted that 112 colleges were fielding lacrosse teams, which in 1969 represented a doubling of the total from ten years prior. Of course since that LIFE story ran, the ranks have multiplied nearly fourfold. Today 431 U.S. colleges field lacrosse teams, and those programs are spread across the country. When Denver won the men’s NCAA title in 2015, it was a milestone moment in the sport’s geographic expansion, as the Pioneers were the first lacrosse champion from outside the Eastern time zone.

In addition to Rickerby’s photos from 1969, this gallery also features images from the rare occasions when LIFE sent photographers to lacrosse games in the early years of the magazine. Those older photos feature teams from such institutions as Johns Hopkins, Army and Navy, which are some of the country’s foundational lacrosse programs.

Army and Navy teams met on the lacrosse field, West Point, New York, 1969.

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Army and Navy teams clashed during a lacrosse game at West Point, New York, 1969.

Art Rickerby/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Army and Mavy teams met in lacrosse at West Point in New York, United States, 1969.

Art Rickerby/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Top female lacrosse players gathered for an exhibition game in Hempstead, New York, 1969.

Art Rickerby/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Lacrosse players got muddy during a practice at the McDonogh School in Baltimore, 1969.

Art Rickerby/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Snow fell as lacrosse players practiced in Craftsbury, Vermont, 1969.

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Snowfall didn’t stop lacrosse practice at Sterling College, Craftsbury, Vermont, 1969.

Art Rickerby/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Lacrosse players practiced in the elements in Vermont, 1969.

Art Rickerby/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Johns Hopkins took on Virginia in lacrosse, 1952.

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Johns Hopkins lacrosse team members celebrated after a game-tying score against Virginia in final quarter, 1952.

Mark Kauffman/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock