Michael Parentis, MD, a physician board-certified in orthopedic surgery, coaches lacrosse in his spare time and has had a great deal of success. He took his team to the 2015 Monsignor Martin League Championship. As a young man, Michael Parentis, MD, developed his passion for lacrosse while playing on The Nichols School team in Buffalo, New York.
Lacrosse is a sport of North American origin that likely predates the arrival of European explorers and settlers. The sport was played among Native Americans and was characterized in its original form by a netted stick used to convey and to toss a ball, which players were not allowed to touch with their hands.
The earliest recorded instance of the sport dates to the early 17th century, when it was documented by a Frenchman named Jean de Brebeuf, who watched a competition between teams of Huron Indians. Later historical instances important to Lacrosse history include a lacrosse demonstration in Montreal during the early 19th century.
In fact, Canada proved to be the cultural incubator in which modern lacrosse developed and from which it ultimately spread. Before the American Civil War had even begun, lacrosse was so popular in Canada, it was the country’s national game.
Today, lacrosse is growing rapidly, with over 500,000 athletes actively playing the sport.
