Box Lacrosse in Geneva
By John Marks, Curator of Collections
Our lacrosse story follows Dr. Jay Covert to the era of box lacrosse from 1933 to 1950. Rather than playing or coaching, he patched up the players during and after every game. Newspaper ads for the games proclaimed, “Modified Murder!”
In 1933 the Geneva Lacrosse Club put together a team for winter play. It had familiar faces from the Geneva High School team of a few years before. High school coach Jim Loman, first row left, directed the team with Dr. Covert, first row right, as team doctor and manager Harry Lynn in center. Left to right, front row: Hal Worden, Red O’Connor, Red Beattie, Pete “Curly” Byers, Dick Gasper, George Long, Howard Clark, and Jiggs O’Connor. Back row: Joe Wilson, Dick Goodelle, Mose Kenney, Jim Scott, King Rippey, and George Mulcahy.
1946 Game
Box lacrosse was closer to hockey than to the outdoor game. There were only six players: a goalie, two defensemen, two forwards, and a center. It was fast-paced and physical to break up plays. As one player remembered, “You didn’t get a penalty unless you drew blood.” Games were played in the Armory drill hall on Main Street. It held 1,500 spectators and was often a sell-out crowd.
Geneva held their own against tough teams from New York, Canada, and Native American nations. Native players were considered the best, and teams from Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo often recruited them. Geneva played against teams from the reservations, including Onondaga, Tonawanda, and Gowanda. Two things were guaranteed at an Armory game: injuries, and both teams going across the street to Cooley’s (now Beef and Brew) after the game to drink together.
1947 Geneva Daily Times article
Team sponsors changed but many of the faces remained the same. The Fleur de Lys Coffee Shoppe sponsored the first year, then the team became the Rapalee Raiders, backed by Rapalee Coal Company. Post-World War II sponsors included the VFW and Legotts. Dr. Covert appeared in all team photos as the club doctor. Pete Byers and Ebo Alberts played from the 1930s into the late 1940s. Other standout players included Ken Vickery, Danno Mahoney, and Jim and Joe Corcoran.
In Geneva box lacrosse was squeezed out by basketball by the early 1950s. It became the primary winter game and the Armory drill hall was booked for basketball contests.
For more information about lacrosse in Geneva,
Watch “A Brief History of Lacrosse” video.
Early History of Lacrosse at Hobart