As lacrosse season comes to an end, I look back on a great season filled with friendship, fellowship, and talent. To some of us, to where it was our first season, it feels like lacrosse has just started. However, it began a long time ago. For those of you who don’t know, I want to be a missionary on an Indian reservation, so I love the fact that lacrosse is an original “American” sport. Lacrosse was originally discovered by French missionaries in the 1630s. However, different variations had been played by many different Native American tribes before the contact of the missionaries. Lacrosse was played for long hours, and even days. Lacrosse was played for ceremonial reasons, or often in battle over land disputes. It was a game of endurance and a way to connect on a spiritual connection. This is where I feel that Biola Lacrosse, as a Christian team, we can remember to uphold the basic traditions of the sport. When we play, we are not playing for ourselves, but for One; our God, creator, and savior. One parallel that I love is how lacrosse got it’s name. La Crosse is the french name for the word “crozier” which is a staff surmounted by a crook or cross, carried by bishops as a symbol of pastoral office. Therefore, when the missionaries saw the sticks used by the Native American playing lacrosse, it reminded them of a Bishop’s staff. The curved shaft of the stick is often compared to that of a shpeherd’s stick. Furthermore, I think the name of the sport itself can help give us motivation on the field. When we remember the meaning of the word, which many don’t realize, we can get the picture of Jesus. John 10:14-15 says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Right there, is a perfect reminder of who we play the game for. We play for Christ, who is our shepherd, and we are his sheep. Not only that, but the idea that there are lost sheep who play the game. Christ will go out of his way to save that one lost sheep. In that, I think that it is important to realize that that same staff that the French saw, we now hold. As we hold that staff, we have a responsibility. We need to remember who we represent. God has called us to be lights of the world. When we play other non-believers, how is it that we can call ourselves Christians, if we aren’t representing him on the field. Biola has a name, most people know that we are a Christian school and pray after our games, and I love that. However Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” When we play on the field we remember to tame our tongue, control our temper, play as hard as we can, run with endurance, and truly shine the light of Christ. When we do that, people see something different in us, and will want whatever that is. But it is not us that receives the praise, it is our father in Heaven. Whether we win or loose, on or off the field, we still live for HIM. Lastly, the season is over, and today we have our lacrosse luau banquet. It is sad to see the season end, but everyday is one step closer to eternity. I will miss the fun of the sport and my brothers and the game itself. But, ultimately, our stats are not what matters. It is who we step on that field for, and the fact that our actions may win one over for the kingdom. Whether this is your last year, you are graduating, this is your first year, or whatever it may be, remember . . . We play FOR ONE.

Kyle (Kai) “Q” Quiroz #44