THE JORDAN OF ... LACROSSE

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Gary Gait: Lacrosse Legend

In the Cherokee language, the term for lacrosse translates as "little brother of war." Originally a training technique used by Native American tribes to whip their warriors into shape, and, in some cases, to prevent war altogether, the game has seen significant changes since its days as a tribal ritual, but its core values remain.

That's why Gary Gait is a warrior.

Gait first picked up a lacrosse stick at the age of four in his native British Columbia, where he started playing box (indoor) lacrosse. It wasn't until the age of 11 that he got serious about the sport, leading to a Pee Wee National Championship at 12. It would be the first entry in a long list of accomplishments that include three Mann Cups (awarded to Canada's senior champions), three Major League Lacrosse (MLL) titles and three National Lacrosse League (NLL) championships. (Talk about symmetry!).

"I didn't play hockey because my parents didn't want to get up early," Gait says. "The great thing about lacrosse is that if you can master the stick, you don't have to be as physically dominating. But I lucked out. I was also a good size and I could run pretty well."

The midfielder's god-given size (6' 2") and talent, coupled with an indomitable work ethic, earned him a scholarship to Syracuse University, where he led the Orange to three NCAA championships and undefeated campaigns in 1988 and 1990, when he was also named National Player of the Year.

But he was just getting started.

Upon leaving Syracuse in 1990, Gait entered the NLL for the first of 15 seasons. Naturally, he was the Rookie of the Year. He was also named an All-Pro, a feat he would repeat in every subsequent season. He finished his tenure in the NLL as its all-time leading scorer (1,091 points), netted a record six MVP awards and became one of just five charter members of its Hall of Fame in 2006.

In addition to his storied pro indoor career, Gait has found success in nearly every other lax setting. Whether it on the Canadian club circuit, MLL or in international competition, he has been not just a champion, but an innovator, elevating the game to new levels with both his play (like the invention of the "Air Gait") and involvement with STX lacrosse, designing and marketing equipment.

But ask Gait who he thinks the best lax player of all time is, and he'll bring up his identical twin Paul.

"We challenged each other to elevate our games," Gait says. "That's definitely one of the keys to our success. Everywhere we've gone, we've learned to compete at the highest level."

Now 40, and with his playing days behind him, Gait is concentrating on coaching. After juggling an indoor career and a spot on the staff of the Maryland women's team for nine years (winning seven-consecutive NCAA titles between 1995 and 2001), Gait became the head coach of the NLL's Colorado Mammoth in 2005 and was named the head coach of the Syracuse women's team in August 2007.

"I love coaching," he says. "I like passing on my passion and love for the game and giving back. Hopefully, I've helped thousands of kids learn the game and love it."

We have no doubt that soon he'll reach the rest of the world.

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