Nebraska Eyes Lacrosse Expansion in High Schools as Midwest Sport Gains Popularity

OMAHA — Lacrosse, known as the fastest sport on two feet, is rapidly gaining popularity in the Midwest, and efforts are underway to introduce it as a varsity sport in Nebraska. According to a recent survey, 27 states offer boys lacrosse and 28 states offer girls lacrosse at the high school level, but Nebraska is currently not one of them. This initiative is fueled by a dedication to competition and a love for the game.

Fifteen-year-old Brooke Hempel is one of the young athletes passionate about the sport. With five years of lacrosse experience, she shares, “I just kind of heard of it randomly and I thought maybe I should try it. It’s really fun. It’s a good way to interact and try new things.” Although her school does not have a lacrosse club, she competes with another school and is hopeful for the sport’s growth, eyeing the possibility of playing in college.

Leading the push to establish lacrosse as a varsity sport is Mel Meier, who has dedicated countless hours to this cause. She states, “It’s a 24/7 thing. I probably send about at least 50 emails a week” while putting in over 10 hours a week on this initiative. The goal is to have lacrosse recognized as an ’emerging sport activity’, which would allow schools a three-year period to assess interest and involvement.

Jeff Johnson, an associate director, commented that the process can be lengthy, focusing on education and awareness about how the sport functions. The proposal must clear four levels of voting, with a decision expected by June. This lengthy process resembles the one that girls wrestling faced before achieving varsity status.

Families involved are optimistic about the impact of bringing lacrosse to high schools. Brian Hempel, Brooke’s father, expressed, “It gives the students in high school just more opportunities to play another sport that’s different. And it is growing.” Brooke noted her excitement about the potential for lacrosse to become more recognized, sharing, “I didn’t know it until I was in seventh grade. So it’d be really fun to see it grow more.”

It’s important to mention that if athletic directors vote in favor of lacrosse as an emerging sport, it does not mean that all schools must adopt it; rather, it opens the door for schools that wish to offer the sport. Another proposal also aims to allow student-athletes to play two sports in one season, which could significantly affect lacrosse and other sports if approved.