This fall an incoming transfer student is bringing in what he calls “the fastest growing sport in the United States,” to Tarleton State University.

Kyle Michelsen who is from Kaufman, Texas, started playing Lacrosse in high school and played one year in Louisiana.

“I had played at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and I didn’t like the school down there, but I just couldn’t quit playing so I decided to come here and do something big with my life,” Michelsen said.

Michelsen’s passion for lacrosse began with a trip to Dicks Sporting Goods with his brother.

“I played football all my life and I started playing lacrosse,” Michelsen said. “Me and my brother went to the store one day and bought some [lacrosse] sticks. I decided that’s just what I needed to play. I love everything about it.”

This is the first time a student has approached the recreational sports department on developing this type of sport.

“We have never had students approach us before about the opportunity to start a lacrosse team,” assistant director Daron Trussell said. “Most students approach us with your more typical sports like soccer or volleyball.”

The lacrosse team will be considered a club sport. Students will have to pay a fee to cover the cost of equipment, uniforms and league fees. Currently however the price is not set according to Trussell.

“Club sports are sports that don’t operate under NCAA guidelines and are usually housed within recreational sports at most universities,” Trussell said. “These teams will travel to other institutions and participate in a league format similar to your schools traditional sports, but are ran and governed by the recreational sports department. There are fees associated with these leagues, so the teams have to fundraise throughout the year in order to participate.”

So far, between 50 and 60 people have signed up, including females. There will be a meeting next month for the people interested.

“I believe based on the response that there is more interest than I would have initially thought,” Trussell said. “With more and more students coming to Tarleton from major metro areas like DFW, sports like this are becoming more commonplace for them. There have been between six and eight students that have replied who have been playing lacrosse for years. Having students with previous experience will really help the sport in establishing itself initially.”

According to Michelsen, 30 students will be on the roster. Tryouts for the team will begin at the start of the fall semester.

“The first few weeks of school we will be looking at people play and see how well they pick it up. After that we will pick who gets to play,” Michelsen said. “We will probably still have a practice team for those who do not make it.”

The lacrosse team will travel to Oklahoma and Louisiana to compete at the Lone Star Alliance in February.

“My goal is to win the LSA and go on and compete in the national championship tournament,” Michelsen said.

Michelsen’s position on the team will be face-off/mid fielder.

“I know it’s the fasted game on two feet and it’s the fastest growing sport in the United States today,” Michelsen said. “It’s basically a mixture of every good thing in sports. It’s like football, hockey and soccer all put together.”

For more information or to join the team contact Michelsen at [email protected]