The Iroquois Nationals is proud to acknowledge alumni players and staff who participate in the National Lacrosse League. The Rochester Knighthawks have 8 current players and including alumni player, Curt Styres, Rochester Knighthawks Owner and General Manager, and Andy Secore, Assistant Coach. Also the Iroquois Nationals have alumni staff of Jason Johnson, Assistant Coach and Dave Soudan, Equipment Manager for the Hawks.
In a press release of April 21, 2016, the Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they will hold their annual Native American Night on Saturday, April 23rd. It will be a celebration of the Creator’s Game when the Knighthawks host the Buffalo Bandits at 8:00 p.m. at Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena.
“When I play, I think of it as more than a game,” said Knighthawks forward Cody Jamieson, an Iroquois Nationals stand out. “I don’t just go out there and think this is just a game of lacrosse. It’s a way of life. You have to play it right and play it for its purpose. It’s what I am here to do. It’s energy, emotion and passion. It’s everything.”
Jamieson, who is Mohawk Turtle Clan, is one of eight Native Americans on the Knighthawks roster, which is the most of any team in the National Lacrosse League. The team also includes fellow Six Nations products Sid Smith (Cayuga Wolf Clan), an Iroquois Nationals 2014 & 2015 Team Captain for the World Lacrosse Championships in both field and indoor lacrosse. Along with Iroquois Nationals players Craig Point (Mohawk Turtle Clan), Quinn Powless (Mohawk Turtle Clan), and Haodais Maracle (Cayuga Bear Clan). Adam Bomberry (Cayuga Wolf Clan) and Ty Thompson (Mohawk Wolf Clan) both hail from Akwesasne, while Angus Goodleaf (Mohawk Wolf Clan) is from Kahnawake, along with Team Scout Kevin Hill .
Native American Night is another opportunity for the players and staff to share their love for the game of lacrosse.
“My heritage played a huge role in my playing professionally,” said Quinn Powless, an Iroquois Nationals alumni. “It’s more than just a game. You grow up playing it. You’re given a stick right at birth.”
“It’s great because you get to honor the roots of the game,” said Jason Johnson, an Iroquois Nationals Assistant Coach for the 2016 World Lacrosse Championships in Coquitlam this summer. “You can learn where the game comes from and what it means.”
The game of lacrosse goes back to the creation story, according to Cayuga sub-chief and faith keeper Leroy “Jock” Hill, a member of the Iroquois Nationals Board of Directors
“The game was given to us as a life lesson to demonstrate teamwork and cooperation. In our traditional game, it’s about discipline,” said Hill. “All these values make us good human beings and help us to survive. Our belief is that we do everything we can because we’re entertaining the Creator, and that’s his game we are playing.”
On April 23rd, the game will feature Native American artisans, Fancy Dancers and music by Native American singers. Fans can enter a raffle to win a wooden lacrosse stick, courtesy of Traditional
Lacrosse. The Knighthawks will also sell Native American Night special edition T-shirts at the game while supplies last.
Resource: www.knighthawks.com. Press Release April 21, 2016.
