Glen Ellyn Hosts First College Lacrosse Game

Nine years ago, Ben Mayo fielded the first Glenbard West lacrosse team. Now, he returns to Glen Ellyn to play in the first college lacrosse game in town.

Growing up, the nearest Mayo could play lacrosse was in Oak Brook for the Park District. When he started his high school career he was dissapointed that West lacked a lacrosse team, so he decided to start his own team and Glen Ellyn's first. Even though the squad lost every game, it got the town interested in lacrosse.

"It's pretty surreal to see how much lacrosse has changed in Glen Ellyn since I started the team, so it'll be a lot of fun to get a chance to play a game at Glenbard West, which is something I never got a chance to do while I played here," said Mayo.

Thanks to Mayo, the sport was picked up by the park district and a feeder program was developed. Over the years, more youngsters in the community decided to pick up lacrosse.

On Sunday, April 1, Mayo will come "full-circle." He and his college team from Minnesota, St. Olaf, will face off against Western Michigan University. It will be the first college lacrosse event in the village. 

Following Sunday's game, the boys will lead a skills camp, which will include Glen Ellyn resident and former Georgetown University player, Craig Stevenson. Kids must register for the event by March 29. To sign up, visit the Glen Ellyn Park District website and click program registration. 

"For kids who want to go on and play college lacrosse the two biggest things I can say are get your grades up, and be willing to put in the extra work on your own. The kids who really want to excel and make a college team are the ones who go play wall-ball and shoot on their own outside of practice," said Mayo.