YORKTON - Even ardent sports fans may not be aware the Baggataway Cup was held Nov. 3.
That is less an issue of lack of interest, and far more how sport in Canada is often lost amid broadcasts of NASCAR, German soccer, and American college football from schools most here would not be able to say what city they exist in.
So something like the Baggataway Cup – emblematic of the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association championship -- goes almost totally unheralded.
For the record the Western Mustangs rode a dominant second half to an 11-3 win over the Queen's Gaels in Sunday's championship game in St. Catharines to win their second straight Baggataway Cup.
Chris Lesanko for one hopes to build awareness for not just the Baggataway Cup, but college lacrosse in Canada in general.
Lesanko, who grew up playing lacrosse in Sturgis, Sask., is today Assistant Commissioner of the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) which is the governing body for the league of Canadian Universities that play lacrosse. The league currently has 14 universities involved – 12 in Ontario and two in Quebec, although Lesanko dreams of the day universities and colleges in Western Canada become involved.
Lesanko, who was an elite player until in March 2005, when an accident happened leaving Chris paralyzed from the neck down, remains a stalwart promoter of the field game, becoming involved with CUFLA “just before COVID.”
Now with new commissioner Scott Fox, Lesanko said there is renewed focus on growing the college game.
“This year was kind of a trial and error,” Lesanko said, adding things went well, which holds promise for growth moving forward. “. . . It’s growing every year.”
As an example of changes made Lesanko said CUFLA instituted a shot clock which speeds play and improves the experience for fans.
Lesanko said while many lacrosse players look to the U.S. for college opportunities, himself included -- in 2001, he received a scholarship to Green Mountain College in Vermont to play NCAA Division II Lacrosse and would receive the Rookie of the Year Award – it doesn’t always work out as well as players might like. He explained college credits and even degrees achieved in the US do not always transfer directly once back in Canada. He added back in 2001 he wasn’t event aware CUFLA existed – although the Baggataway Cup has been contested since the mid-1980s.
Lesanko however eventually came home -- in 2003, Chris was recruited to Bishops University in Quebec – sees CUFLA teams as a viable option to pursue the sport of lacrosse and school in Canada.
It worked for him. Lesanko would be second in the nation in points his first year and received the Rookie of the Year Award. In 2004, he received the MVP Award and also the Male Athlete of the Year Award for Bishops University Athletics. He was named first Team All Canadian at Bishops in 2003 and 2004.
“Now it’s more about trying to get the word out,” he said.
So how does Lesanko see CUFLA growing – in particular forging a path westward?
“It takes commitment from the schools obviously,” said Lesanko who in high school in Sturgis won six provincial titles and received six provincial all-star awards and the MVP Award for Saskatchewan as well.
It also takes the local lacrosse community to be part of the effort, he said, noting any college program needs coaches, volunteers, supporters and fans to be successful.
It is not something Lesanko said he sees happening overnight, but he’s be happy to see small steps taken sooner than later citing potential for an exhibition game between the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina as a natural step.
