Due to changed restrictions in the Minnesota State High School League rules along with a wanted transition by the Park club lacrosse team, a new high school program may emerge in the near future.

Throughout the years, lacrosse has grown and become a popular sport among Park students, according to district athletic director, Andy Ewald.

Last year’s boys club team brought a state championship back to Park, which led to recognition of the program.

Ewald said he is doing what he can to aid in the transition from a club to a high school lacrosse team. He believes it is time for the change because of a new requirement for high school league teams.

“The state high school league just passed a bylaw, or wording, that said if you are a state high school league team, you can’t play a club team anymore,” Ewald said.

Because of this, the teams that the club can play are very limited. This was one of the main reasons why the decision to switch to a high school sport arose.

“Boys lacrosse has shown as a club that it wasn’t just a fad and a certain group of kids that cycled through and played. They have shown staying power and I think it’s probably time and it’s appropriate for them to fall under our umbrella,” Ewald said.

Due to this proof of a lasting sports program, Ewald is ready to make the transition from club to high school sport.

The addition of a new spring sports program leads to time and effort put in by the athletic office and school board in order to make a smooth transition.

In late November or early October, Ewald will take part in a meeting and present to the school board why he thinks the sport should be sponsored through the athletics office. Although the athletics office is involved in this matter, the final decision lies with the school board, according to Ewald.

This transition is not only important to the athletics office, but to the members of the lacrosse team as well.

According to senior Dave Herrera, becoming a part of the Minnesota State High School League and Metro West Conference will bring a higher level of competition and more resources to the team.

“The competition will be harder because other teams will have the same, if not more, tools than us,” Herrera said.

These extra tools include space at the high school for practice, extra gym time, a higher budget and more coaches. These available resources help build a better team and is the reason they want to become a high school sport, according to Herrera.

The new Minnesota State High School League teams the lacrosse team will play will be more difficult than teams from previous years, but senior Robbie Roethler believes Park will fit alongside these more competitive teams.

“The new MSHSL teams will definitely be more challenging. With the experience that a good amount of our players have in lacrosse, and also playing with elite teams, I am confident that we will have a good season,” Roethler said.