Lacrosse is not just a sport for Albin Haglund: It is truly a passion.
Haglund, a 1976 lacrosse national champion and former head coach of the sport at Arizona State University, looks to introduce lacrosse to the Verde Valley with Monday evening clinics at Riverfront Park beginning Aug. 17, at
5 p.m.
“After playing many sports, this is the coolest game on the planet,” he said. “For the last five years, lacrosse has been the fastest-growing team sport in the U.S.”
Much of that growth is due to Haglund, who recently moved to Cottonwood from Scottsdale, where he claims to have introduced more than 3,000 boys and girls to lacrosse in the past 12 years through his own Scottsdale business, which outfits and promotes the sport.
“I did not pick up my first stick until I was a junior in high school,” he said. “Anyone can start at any age and excel at the sport. The playing field is pretty level here in Arizona.”
Haglund, 61, won his national title playing at Cornell University, where he was a three-year starter at midfield on a squad that went undefeated through 16 games.
He also has won world championships as recently as 2002 playing for the USA Stars in Perth, Australia.
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Aug. 5, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
