Iroquois Nation to Host FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in 2015
/ Craig MacDowell
ONONDAGA COUNTY -- Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and in three years, Central New York will be at the center of the game.
The Iroquois Nationals and the Haudenosaunee Nation will host the Federation of International Lacrosse World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in September, 2015. This will be the first time in the Championship's history it will be played on home land.
The tournament will be played over six days, at the Onondaga Nation Arena, near Syracuse, and First Niagara Center in Buffalo.
The event is expected to bring 300 athletes, and 15,000 fans to Central New York, pumping $4 million dollars into the local economy.
Gewas Schindler, General Manager of the Iroquois Nationals, says he's dreamt about the tournament coming to the Onondaga Nation for years. He's very excited that dream is now a reality.
"I'm very happy to be here bringing this to the Syracuse area, because you guys are so close to us and know so much about us. We want to share our game with you, and share the game with the world," says Schindler.
The Iroquois Nationals are made up of the six tribes of Nation -- Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Mohawk, Seneca and Tuscarora.
The Onondaga Nation says Lacrosse started here centuries ago. It says hosting the next Championship is a way it can live out the traditions its ancestors started.
The World Indoor Lacrosse Championship is played every four years.
The Iroquois Nationals brought home the Bronze prize at the 2011 Championship in Prague, Canada.
