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Phantom Lacrosse founder Michael Hazy poses with new Lacrosse heads. Photo courtesy of Phantom Lacrosse.
Father, coach and founder of Austin-based company Phantom Lacrosse, Michael Hazy, strung 115 new lacrosse heads to celebrate the return of lacrosse to the Olympics after 115 years. Phantom is donating all 115 of them to youth lacrosse teams in Texas, including Williamson County.
“The two biggest things we can do to grow the game are improving stick quality and lowering entry costs,” Mr. Hazy said. “These free heads will replace poor quality, second-hand sticks commonly used by players trying the sport. A bad stick is frustrating, not fun.”
Mr. Hazy developed a new single-string pocket style for the lacrosse head, instead of the usual six-string style. Mr. Hazy said more strings mean more change over time, requiring adjustment to the head.
Nine teams across Central Texas received the new lacrosse heads: Bridge Lacrosse, Austin; Anderson Youth Lacrosse, Austin; Kaufman Lacrosse, Kaufman; New Braunfels Youth Lacrosse; Leander Youth Lacrosse; Round Rock Rattlers Lacrosse; Hyde Park Youth Lacrosse, Austin; Knights Youth Lacrosse, Austin; Cannons Youth Lacrosse, Cedar Park.
Lewis Porter has been coaching Leander Youth Lacrosse for about nine years. Over the years, he has collected lacrosse heads and passed them on to players who could not afford them at first.
He said some players continued using the heads throughout their lacrosse career. When he saw the giveaway he thought it would be a good idea to get new heads for his team.
“They felt more confident and played better knowing they had a new head,” he said. “They were so excited it was almost like Christmas or a birthday. I'm so thankful to Phantom Lacrosse for doing the giveaway. Now my whole team has equipment they are proud of.”
Worldwide participation
The International Olympic Committee voted in October to reestablish lacrosse as an official sport.
“The return to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will start a new chapter in the sport’s history, increasing global interest and growth,” according to Hazy.
Ninety-one countries currently play lacrosse throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania.