Ralston Regals Lacrosse Set to Open Season at New Home
While lacrosse is one of the oldest sports in North America, tracing back to Native Americans in the 17th century, it’s popularity in the U.S. has remained niche and regional.
In America, lacrosse is most popular in the northeast, but the game continues to spread and grow across the country, even right here in Ralston.
The semi-professional Ralston Regals are pepping for their third season in the Interstate Box Lacrosse Association with their first game and home opener against the Iowa Dogfish on Saturday, June 27, at noon in their new home, Ralston Arena.
Alex Myhre is a Regals player, general manager and a 16-year veteran of the sport — including three with Ralston. Myhre grew up in Omaha and played for Millard West in high school and Nebraska collegiately. He’s seen the sport grow locally and wants to continue introducing new people to the sport.
He got his start through a neighbor who played, starting off with a stick and a baseball. From there his love for the game grew.
“Just getting the stick in my hand was hard to describe. It just felt right,” he said. “Here’s what I’ll say about lacrosse. Any kid can excel at it and that’s one thing I love about the sport. You can be 5-foot-1, really scrawny or a big kid and there’s a place for you.”
The Regals play box lacrosse, a condensed, indoor version of its outdoor counterpart played on turf or polished concrete. Myhre says think more along the lines of hockey.
“It’s more physical, fast-paced and there’s more checking allowed,” Myhre said. “There are hockey-style subs and the ball stays in play a lot.”
The IBLA has seven regions and over 50 teams, with top teams from each region qualifying for the playoffs. The Regals play in the three-team Nebraska region, comprised of the Regals, Aksarben Stampede and Iowa Dogfish based out of Davenport, Iowa.
As part of the season opener on June 27, longtime player and coach Chuck Brown will be on hand to lead an hour and a half camp.
Brown is from Buffalo and has an extensive lacrosse history, including as a player and coaching 12 years in the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse.
“If you’re a youth lacrosse player this is a great experience from someone who was a former NLL coach and a player,” Myhre said. “(Brown) just loves lacrosse.”
The camp is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. following the Regals/Dogfish game. After the camp, the Dogfish will play the Aksarben Stampede at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $50 for the camp and both games, and full lacrosse gear is required, including tennis shoes and not cleats.
For more information on the Regals and to sign up for the camp, visit ralstonregals.com or Ralston Regals Lax on Facebook. For more information on the IBLA, visit iblalacrosse.com.
Game tickets can be purchased at the door for $19.
“If you haven’t seen the game, I’d say just come out, bring the family and watch one game,” Myhre said. “I’m telling you, you’ll fall in love with it. There’s nothing like it.”
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