2013 Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

In a lavish dinner ceremony held at the newly completed Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and Resort’s Winter Ballroom, the 2013 crop of inductees into the Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame were inducted. Peter Garrow was the evening’s emcee, and organizer for the event. The event began with the Ohen:ton Karihwatenhkwen, which was given by Faith Keeper Richard Mitchell. Garrow, Vice Chair of the Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame Committee, started off the evening by introducing Steve Thomas, Chairman of the ALHFC, who offered his welcome to everyone gathered there. After Thomas spoke, Garrow cracked a few jokes and dinner was served, elders first.

Garrow detailed some comments from Sarah Ashenbach, executive director of the Tewaaraton Award for USA lacrosse, and her husband Richard, explaining they “didn’t realize that lacrosse is the only game with a spiritual connection, that it is a gift from the Creator, and when you play it you’re giving back to the Creator. None of the other sports have it. Lorraine White’s speech was just amazing. She talked about playing the game when women weren’t supposed to be playing the game. She played on boy’s teams from Cornwall Island, the box version of the game. In the field game she was two-year All American at Central Connecticut. They were amazed to see us paying tribute to people who actually work in a factory who made the sticks. Finally, the number of families that are involved in lacrosse, you’re paying tribute to the past and also the future. It was just remarkable how heartwarming it was.”

Garrow added, “The whole ALHF committee was so pleased with the turnout, there was standing room only! We also wanted to thank our sponsors for a great event.” The ceremony inducted several players from the Akwesasne Warriors who played between 1976 and 1980 as well as many more across several categories.

This year’s inductees are:

Percy Francis – Friend of Lacrosse

Randall “Man” Jacobs – Builder

Travis Solomon – Player

Seymour Brothers: Richard, Paul, John, Abe, Peter, Charlie – Players

Akwesasne Warriors: Jimmy Booth, John Benedict, Tyler Sunday, Brant Davis, Roger Bonet, Robert Sunday, Kenny Diabo, Walter Oakes, Robert Day.

Mohawk Lacrosse Stick Manufacturing Company:

Benedict – Frankie, Lillian, Benny, Louise, Roberta, Nancy, Lucy

Caldwell – Abe, Irene

Cook – Ron

David – Evelyn, Loretta, Tommy, Paul, Madeline

Day – Pat, Annie, Lena

Delormier – Walter, Angus, Charlotte, Shirley, Joe, Marie, George, Dave, Minnie, Joe East, Antoine, Laura, Rosemarie

Francis – Thomas

Garrow – Peter

Hopps – Anna, Dave, Phillip

Jacobs – Harriet, Kathleen, Snooks

Jocko – Angus, Albert, Norman, Dennis, Peter

Lazore – Marion

Leaf – George, Minnie, Christina, Louise, Nelson, George, David, Mike, Joe, Lawrence, Mary, Teddy, Denise

Martin – Dick

Mitchell – Esther, Lewis

Oakes – Ida

Peters – Mitchell

Point – Louie, Eva

Roundpoint – Alex, Wallace, Grace, Ronald, Gilbert

Sharrow – Monica

Seymour – Rosemary, Florence, Eric

Thompson – Abe, Harriet, Henry, Loretta, Idrene, Louie, Elizabeth, Morris, Andrew, Rita, Jerry, Frank, John Jean, Joe, Charles, Gloria, Ernie, Josie, Rose

White – Melvin, Barney, Clarence, Rita