Chances are Rick Mercurio has probably traveled to some places you’ll never make it to in your lifetime. And the coolest part … he brought his lacrosse stick.
The former Sachem lacrosse coach, who led the Flaming Arrows to a state title in 1993 and owns Sachem’s all-time lacrosse wins record with 316 victories, recently returned stateside after yet another international trip to spread the goodwill of the game he loves.
As part of an educational and developmental trip through the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL), Mercurio spent a week in Shanghai and Beijing, China in April, teaching the game and getting a better understanding of the sport’s impact on a different culture.
Mercurio has taken these ambassador trips over the last few years to places like Belgium, Russia and Thailand, all countries not rich in lacrosse tradition, but hungry to grow as the sport continues to take a prominent role on the international level.
Lacrosse has only existed in China since 1997
“Our staff was overwhelmed by the response to our clinics, coaching and suggestions for improvement and development,” Mercurio wrote in an FIL report about his trip. “Our time together was too short. We, as the FIL representatives, would be extremely proud and delighted to see lacrosse in China to continually grow and succeed.”
Traveling to a country half way around the world, holding clinics in two cities over eight hundred miles apart, in itself was a logistical challenge. Presently there are approximately 150 players, men and women, representing seven universities from the cities of Shanghai and Beijing.
Part of the FIL’s responsibility on these trips is to access the current health and well being of the game and how it can grow. Upon Mercurio’s return his report concluded that most players give up the game after college, equipment is scarce or too expensive, and games are far and few between.
The FIL has supplied equipment, they recommended starting club teams, and suggested hosting games between Shanghai and Beijing to make it a sporting spectacle they can market.
“Lacrosse in China continues to grow and develop,” wrote Mercurio, who was fortunate to play wall ball on The Great Wall of China. “There are more players, men and women, today than there has ever been in the past.”
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro