News-Letter

We all know lacrosse is a big deal here at Hopkins. Whether you are a freshman just discovering the obsession that follows this age-old American Indian warrior training sport, or a senior-cum-diehard Blue Jays fan, it is impossible to escape the spring fanaticism that comes with the start of a lacrosse season. Few people know, however, the history of lacrosse at Johns Hopkins.

How it all got started

Hopkins students first started playing lacrosse in 1883, when, in response to the sport's growing popularity in Baltimore, a club team was formed for local competitions. Though Hopkins Lacrosse, especially after the 2005 season, has become famous for its success, the 1883 club team's first and only match ended in defeat, a 4-0 victory for the Baltimore Druids Club. After that loss, the team disbanded, some players joining up with the Druids, and it would be five years before Hopkins fielded another team.

In 1888, the second Hopkins lacrosse team, this one officially recognized by the University, enjoyed a far more successful, and far longer season. Though they lost again to the Druids, 4-1, the Blue Jays recorded the first Johns Hopkins lacrosse victory by defeating the Patterson Club, 6-2.

The year 1890 saw Hopkins join the Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, and in 1891, the Blue Jays won their first of many national titles. Five more championships followed between 1898 and 1903, when Hopkins triumphed every year except 1901. That year, the University decided to withdraw from the Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, only to rejoin the following year, subsequent to the Association's reorganization.

Success and innovation

Much of Hopkins' early lacrosse success can be attributed to the team's fresh and innovative strategies. Since its founding, Hopkins Lacrosse has been crucial in revolutionizing the sport and transforming it into the game it is today.

During the 1890 season, Hopkins did away with the traditional long passes from defense to offense, opting instead for short passes and a greater emphasis on running while in possession of the ball. Eight years later, Hopkins began changing their sticks to make them more position-specific: attackmen were given shorter sticks with small nets, defenders were given long sticks significantly lightened to improve speed and accuracy, and goalies were given sticks with very large nets.

William C. Schmeisser, known by future generations as "Father Bill", became head coach in 1902, and is responsible for many important events in Hopkins Lacrosse history. Schmeisser's 1908 team was the first to play at Homewood Field and the first to bring the championship there. Also, in 1919, Schmeisser began the tradition of flying flags from the goal nets to honor Hopkins students killed in combat.

During the first quarter of the 20th century, the Blue Jays amassed many more national titles. In 1933, despite the most drastic rule changes in modern lacrosse history --- reduction in team size, changing of the net positions, and the division of playing time into 15-minute quarters -- the Blue Jays compiled an undefeated record. Hopkins had a similar record in 1934, losing only one game, a non-college match against Mt. Washington.

Transforming into the modern team

That year, the Hopkins athletic program underwent several changes. Originally controlled by the Varsity Club, the entire athletics program was brought under faculty control in 1934 and focus shifted away from lacrosse and more to physical education and intramural sports. Also, entry fees to Hopkins sports events were abolished, not to be reinstituted until 1970.

The Blue Jays won their first championship in seven years in 1941, thanks in part to an incredible defense that would prove very important in the years to come. From 1947 through 1950, Hopkins did not lose a single intercollegiate match.

Hopkins enjoyed many more undefeated seasons and championships over the years. In 1974, Hopkins received its first NCAA title. Homewood Field has also gained some recognition, having been nicknamed by lacrosse purists as the "Yankee Stadium of Lacrosse". Homewood also hosted the 1982 World Games, won by the United States.

Hopkins has fielded a lacrosse team every year since 1888, except in 1944, when intercollegiate athletics were suspended during the Second World War. In the 124 years since its founding, the Hopkins lacrosse team has become globally renowned for its astounding success and contributions to the sport.

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