Published: July 02, 2008 09:42 pm            

H.S. LACROSSE: Abrams, Printup earn lacrosse honors

SANBORN — Lacrosse is a sacred game those of Native American descent hold in the highest regard.

Because of that when one is honored for their efforts in that game, it’s very special for the entire community. For two players of the same community to be honored nationally, such as when Niagara-Wheatfield’s Corinne Abrams and Emmett Printup recently were, makes it even more special.

Perhaps that’s why when Abrams was asked what the Tewaaraton Award meant to her, she was lost for words.

“I didn’t even think I had a chance to win it — it’s an honor really,” she said. “It means a lot to all Native Americans.”

The name Tewaaraton means present-day lacrosse in Mohawk. The Tewaaraton trophy received endorsement from the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders and is annually given to a male and female from both college and high school, who exudes the spirit of lacrosse through character and leadership on and off the field. Abrams and Printup received their awards at a ceremony at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

While it’s fairly easy to see why Printup would be a prime candidate for the award after finishing his N-W career as the fifth leading scorer in state history with 430 points, it’s Abrams story that will catch the eye of most.

The former all-Western New York player graduated from N-W in 2007 and through an exchange program decided to spend a year in Spain, in her mind ending her chances at any additional scholastic lacrosse accolades. While in Spain, though, Abrams stumbled upon Team Madrid, a start-up girls lacrosse team that was seeking players.

“I didn’t even know lacrosse existed there,” Abrams admitted. “Once I found out about the team online, I was really excited.”

While the caliber of play wasn’t nearly as good as back home, it was the experiences she endured that is fresh in her memory. The team traveled throughout Europe playing in other countries, giving Abrams an opportunity to see many different parts of the world and more importantly help her new teammates learn the game.

Her most memorable moment of the trip, though, was when her family visited in February. During the visit, Abrams’ mother Kim — the Niagara-Wheatfield girls lacrosse coach — put the team through drills and tried to explain some of the intricacies of the game.

“My mom is a really good coach and the girls were amazed at how much she knew,” Corinne said. “I was trying to teach them drills during the year and we were doing some of them, but my mom knows exactly how to do them right. It’s tough to teach people that don’t speak the same language and don’t know the game real well, but she’s great at it.”

On the recommendation of her Spanish coach along with her mother, Abrams researched the eligibility requirements for the Tewaaraton and came to the realization that she was still eligible. She then immediately followed through with an essay that included her story of living as an exchange student, while helping the sport of lacrosse grow in a foreign territory.

Then just as she was set to return home in early May, Abrams learned that she had won the award, capping a year she won’t soon forget. She plans to attend Syracuse University in the fall on an academic scholarship. She will also attempt to walk-on to the lacrosse team.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.