Jesse and I spent Sunday night and all day Monday at the Fond du Lac reservation near Duluth for a lacrosse camp put on by the Minnesota Swarm, the Native American Law Enforcement Summit and the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe. I was there to write about the camp and to take some pictures for The Circle newspaper and several other native publications on behalf of the Swarm. Jesse was there to hang out with the other native youth and her favorite all time lax player, the great Travis Hill. We had to rush back to The Cities late Monday afternoon, me for a school board meeting and Jesse for lacrosse playoffs (Eastview B beat Burnsville 6-4 to start the tourney — go, Lightning!)

Below are some pix from the camp. I’ll post links to the story when it’s done.

We had a great time on Sunday bowling with the Minnesota Swarm lacrosse team at Brunswick Bowl in Lakeville. Thanks to the Arlotta family for putting together such a great family event for season ticket holders and to the players and staff for making the day so much fun. We had free pizza and soda, played a bunch of games and got a chance to hang out with several players, especially No. 5, Josh Funk, who really went out of his way to make the girls’ day. He remembered them from the first two home games, at which the girls dressed up in Swarm gear and painted their faces. Our seats right next to the home penalty box give the girls plenty of time during the game to visit with Josh (grin). During a lull in the action, Josh came up to Jesse and Allie and asked them if they wanted to bowl with him, and big sister Katie joined in the fun. Jesse said that Josh is her new favorite player, at least while Travis Hill is injured. Katie won Josh’s game jersey in the silent auction and got him to autograph it. Jesse won a Travis Hill game jersey. I think all three girls had a good time with the Swarm. Thanks again, John and Andy, for putting together such a classy organization. And thanks to all of the players who really made the fans feel special today.

We had a great time at the Minnesota Swarm game last night (the photos above were taken from our primo seats on the glass at midfield). It was American Indian Heritage Night, so we got a chance to visit with friends from the local Indian community, watch an exhibition of the traditional game by the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin at halftime, and enjoy traditional songs and dances. Thanks to the Swarm for recognizing the roots of the game in American Indian tradition and celebrating the origins of the Creator’s Game with respect.

The Swarm played a tough game against the Mammoth, but lost in sudden death overtime. It was a tough loss, but I thought the team played well most of the night. I expect great things from the Swarm this season, especially with the addition of former Dukie Zack “Section 88″ Greer to the roster. You can’t go wrong with a Blue Devil on the team!

Yes, that's us in our primo seats on the glass

Well, the Swarm dropped another one at the X tonight. For a while there, it looked like they would pull it out, despite trailing most of the game. Inconsistent play and trouble in goal denied the Swarm a much-needed victory. I was happy to see a physical game with a lot of checking and stick play, but no fights. That’s the game as it was intended to be played. Better luck next week, guys. We’re looking forward to spending some time with Travis Hill and Coach Jacobs for American Indian Night next Saturday. Howa!

Katie and Jesse load up on food before the game in the Fishing Lodge at Xcel Center

Player of the game, goalie Kevin Croswell, came in early in the first with a 5-0 deficit and played solid defense the rest of the game

The Bud Light Swarm Performance Team ... Oh, yeah. What more can I say?

Swarm it up!

Jesse sporting Swarm face paint and Travis Hill's number 47

The girls and I made our way to St. Paul Saturday night for the second home game of the 2009 season. Have I mentioned already that I love our seats this year (on the glass, next to the home penalty box)?

The Swarm got off to a rough start against the defending champion Buffalo Bandits, spotting the visitors a 5-0 lead before a first-quarter goalie change. I knew we were in trouble when team owner John Arlotta pointed out to me Friday that Buffalo has nine American Indian players to our two (we have more than that on the roster, but only suited up two American Indians against Buffalo, not including Coach Duane Jacobs, a hall of fame player from Six Nations). I haven’t made a scientific study of this, but it seems to me that the team that fielded the most Indians in any National Lacrosse League game I’ve attended has prevailed. I attribute this to the fact that we invented the game and many of our young men have been playing anetsodi since they could walk and hold a stick. Maybe I can persuade those guys at Freakonomics to do a study of this phenomenon.

I was meeting with John and some of his front office staff earlier in the week to discuss ways for the Swarm to get more involved in the local American Indian community. The Swarm offered free tickets to anyone in the American Indian community who wanted to attend Saturday’s game and I helped get the word out. The team also plans an American Indian night later in the season and wants to offer clinics and culturally-specific lessons for students in local Indian Education Programs. I appreciate what the team is trying to do in our community.

On the way into the game, the girls and I stopped by the line outside the Wilkins Auditorium to say hi to @LazyLightning and his better half, waiting to get in to the Minnesota Rollergirls roller derby match. There was quite a line to get in and @LazyLightning was at the front. Let someone try to cut in front of him!

Then the girls and I hit the Fishing Lodge for some free beverages and some tasty snacks before the game. Once we made our way to our seats, the fellows from the NLL who sit in the booth near us gave both girls game balls to have autographed later.

The Swarm fought back from their 5-0 deficit and tied the game up near the end, but ultimately lost by a goal, 10-9. Not bad, considering the Bandits had crushed the Rochester Knighthawks 23-6 the week before.

We’re looking forward to the Feb. 7 game against the Colorado Mammoth, when Jesse will probably be down on the field during player introductions. She is very excited!

In honor of the home opener this evening, I post a couple of pictures, the first old-school anetsodi and the second the modern game. Go Swarm!

anetsodi, Cherokee style

Swarm playing modern box lacrosse

Remember: If you can’t be at tonight’s game, you can watch it live for free on Swarm Vision Live.

Swarm lead West Division with 1-0 record

11-7 is the final. The Swarm effort was led by Kevin Ross with three goals. Sean Pollock scores two and adds five assists. Croswell, after a rough start, finishes strong. After starting the game with three straight Lumberjax goals and falling behind 5-2, the Swarm fired back and scored five unanswered goals and dominated on rebounds and power plays. Nice game. A lot of players with goals.

All Swarm games will be webcast for free this year on  Swarm Vision Live. The channel broadcasts lacrosse games, interviews and features 24/7, in addition to all of the Swarm games live. Check it out when you’re trying to look busy at work.

Swarm it up!

Jax finally score on a blooper over Croswell’s shoulder. 11-7

Kevin Ross fakes out the D and shoots one past Disher.

Thank you, Chad Culp. His first shot of the season found the net.