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By Rhodes Neuner  

Georgetown versus Duke in a 2008 NCAA Division I match-up. Photo credit: Rex Hammock via Wikimedia Commons.

In recent history, a species has stalked the Middle School halls of Collegiate School. Some describe them as rowdy, rambunctious, and obsessive, but others think that stereotype is overused and untrue. The species I am talking about is the “Lax Bro.” Urban Dictionary defines the “Lax Bro” as “a guy who plays lacrosse and fully embraces the culture,” while also adding that “Lax Bros are the chillest of the chill.” To finish off the definition, Urban Dictionary adds a comparison to the “Lax Bro: “Essentially, lax bros are a result of the connotations of beach culture linked with lacrosse culture; the two go hand-in-hand.” 

While some people agree with this stereotype, many disagree and even think the negative stereotype puts a notorious reputation on lacrosse players and the sport as a whole. Upper School lacrosse player Beau Hurst (‘27) said, “I think the term ‘Lax Bro’ is overused. Most people who play the sport don’t act like a stereotypical ‘Lax Bro.’” Fellow lacrosse player Freddie Reed (‘27) also added his thoughts, saying, “No one actually uses the word… I think parents just made up the term to make fun of their kids.”

After talking to Upper School lacrosse players, I took my investigation of this species down to the Middle School, the possible birthplace of the “Lax Bro.” I sat down with a few Middle School lacrosse players and got their opinions on the term and what it means to them. Henry (‘31) said, “I enjoy being called a ‘Lax Bro,’ I embrace it.” He went on to describe the looks of a “Lax Bro:” “You gotta’ have the lettuce. It’s essential to have max drip.” Fellow teammate Sam (‘31) said, “Being a ‘Lax Bro’ means to be chill and awesome, because you are a player of the great sport of lacrosse, my broski.” 

Not all of the players I talked to liked the term. Gus (‘31) said, “I think my parents use the term too much.” Harrison (‘31) also had some thoughts on the term, “I don’t mind it, honestly. It just depends on how people use it. I feel like most of the time people use it to give a bad reputation to lacrosse players.” All of these Middle School athletes started their lacrosse careers playing Geronimo Lacrosse, a youth lacrosse organization that teaches the fundamentals of the sport. They are all now transitioning into their first season playing for Collegiate on the Cub Gold team.

During my conversations with male lacrosse athletes at all levels, it was clear that there was a divide between those who liked and embraced the term and those who despised it. Some wear the name with pride, while others feel like the stereotype does not capture the true nature of what it means to be a lacrosse player. 

The term “Lax Bro” is relatively new; while the sport has centuries of history, the term only began to gain traction around 2010. Back in 2013, Conner Wilson, a former Division III lacrosse player at Wesleyan College and now a lacrosse coach and enthusiast, wrote an article called “Explaining The Lax Bro Phenomenon” for the website Lacrosse Allstars, where he talked about how the term came to be and the future of the sport. Wilson said, “As the quality of play and playing public both improve and increase, the sport will continue to grow. The Lax Bro described above will fade to fandom.” 

Although that article was written around 13 years ago, the term “Lax Bro” still exists to this day. It seems to be idolized mainly in middle school halls, but it still affects and contributes to the reputation of the sport. As the sport continues to grow and gain more national attention, maybe the term will die out, and a new generation of “Lax Bros” will emerge. But for now, the term is here to stay, and whether you embrace the term or despise it, “Lax Bro” is more than just a stereotype. It is part of the larger narrative of the lacrosse culture that is still being shaped by its players, coaches, and spectators of the game.

Through my experience as a lacrosse player, I have never been referred to as a “Lax Bro.” That might be because I don’t have the flowy hair, or my demeanor might not act like the typical “Lax Bro,” but lacrosse is still an important part of my identity. I have met players that I would classify as “Lax Bros,” but the majority are just hard-working athletes who love the sport. Lacrosse isn’t defined by one term; it’s the combination of hard work, teamwork, toughness, and dedication.

Featured image credit: Henning Schlottmann via Wikimedia Commons.