CSULB Lacrosse Making A Comeback

Four years after coming back from a 20 year hiatus, the CSULB Lacrosse team has become a force to be reckoned with.  The team has returned stronger than ever making finals appearances every year. They were the first “new” team to attend the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference Finals in 2009.

Since the team is so new, finding enough members to fill the roster is a challenge. Nick Jezulin, a member of the team, said “Well for starters we don't have any money to recruit with. We typically find out from friends, family, other coaches that hit us up via email or the actual player wanting to come to Long Beach will make contact with us and inquire about our program.”

The team has been striving to reach NCAA status, but this present a steep financial obstacle to overcome. A fully funded lacrosse team can cost upwards of $500,000 per year. Funding from the team now comes mostly from player’s pockets and a small portion from ASI. The team sells apparel and discount food cards to help raise money.

 A more immediate goal the team is working towards is acceptance to Division I of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association. The MCLA consists of 213 teams from the US and Canada and is split into 10 conferences. Each conference has both Division I and II.  During the regular season, CSULB plays multiple D-I teams and does very well against them.

Photo courtesy of Nick Jezulin

CSULB Rugby

Rugby is the second most watched sport in the world, and yet rugby is nearly unrepresented in the US.  This is a considerable challenge to overcome when recruiting and trying to get people interested in CSULB Rugby.  “Recruiting is rather rough, because the NCAA doesn't consider the sport in America to be sponsored. So we don't receive any scholarships,” said Sean Mazer, a senior on the CSULB rugby team, “Probably, only about 5% come out and know what they are doing.” 

                The club is open to everyone in the community not just students.  However, being a full times student is necessary to participate in league play.  Most members have no experience with rugby.  Rugby is very much a European sport.  It is the equivalent of football in the US.  Players in Europe have the opportunity receive full scholarships and professionals receive the same treatment as the biggest super stars in the US.

                Recognition for the team is even more of an issue. “All college rugby teams are club sports, so no college in America gives NCAA scholarships for their players,” Sean said. Teams are severely under presented on campuses nationwide.  Another issue that rises from this is funding.  School funding granted to club sports depends on the number of members and the money isn’t enough to cover team expenses.  The rugby collects $200 per semester from every member for league dues and gear.

                The team was recently bumped down to Division 2 and play teams from Pepperdine, Fullerton, UCSD, SBCC, and other California school teams. The team is striving to regain Division 1 status this year.  During pre-league play they have defeated numerous Davison 1 teams including and all out rout against USC ending in a 34-7 victory.

                 The team just participated in a tournament at Cal Poly.  They played the top teams in California including, Cal Poly, Saint Mary’s, UCSB, Loyola, and UCLA, which are all part of the premier league, which is the step above Division 1.  They came in 5^th out of 12 over-all proving the 49ers are able to hold their own with the big boys.

Photos courtesy of Sean Mazer