Onondaga Nation- Tsha Hoñnonyendakwha is proud to announce the [lightbox link=”http://www.onondaganation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/rug4.jpg” thumb=”http://www.onondaganation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/rug4-300×234.jpg” width=”300″ align=”right” title=”rug4″ frame=”true” icon=”image”]addition of a new synthetic lacrosse surface for this upcoming lacrosse season. The synthetic turf replaced the neoprene skin that covered the arena floor for over a decade.
“It’s a great surface for the kids to run on,” said Sherwin Hill, manager of Tsha Hoñnonyendakwha. “This surface will provide more cushion for the kids to help prevent knee and concussion injuries from falling on the cement floor.”
The Onondaga Nation initially began looking to replace the neoprene floor as it began to show signs of wear. The Iroquois Nationals were awarded the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in September. The Onondaga Nation and Buffalo N.Y. were announced as hosts for the event.[lightbox link=”http://www.onondaganation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/rug2.jpg” thumb=”http://www.onondaganation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/rug2-224×300.jpg” width=”124″ align=”left” title=”rug2″ frame=”true” icon=”image”]
“We knew that we were going to have the World’s best players playing in our arena,” added Sherwin Hill. “We then began to look to see what the professional lacrosse players play on.”
The Onondaga Nation turned to UBU Sports, a company that provides synthetic surfaces for many professional teams, including NLL’s Toronto Rock and Rochester KnightHawks. And this Saturday, Tsha Hoñnonyendakwha[lightbox link=”http://www.onondaganation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/rug1.jpg” thumb=”http://www.onondaganation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/rug1-300×200.jpg” width=”300″ align=”right” title=”rug1″ frame=”true” icon=”image”] will be showcasing the new surface by a day of lacrosse as Onondaga hosts Newtown minor lacrosse from 10am-4pm and a 7pm start of the Men’s game between Onondaga and the first place Newtown Golden Eagles.
As manager Sherwin Hill, walks on the newly installed floor, he recalled his playing days for Onondaga. “This will be great to play on,” he said. “so different from the dirt floor from my playing days. I think I better get my stick back out!”
Looks like everyone will be ready to try out the new rug.