"It was all a dream"

By Tsionatiio

"It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! Magazine." He's not Biggie Smalls, but Vaughn Harris had a dream and brought it to life. It was all a big dream that formed a spider web of programs that revolved around our very own medicine game.

Vaughn Harris is from Six Nations and was drafted into the National Lacrosse League (NLL) in 2016 to the Calgary Roughnecks. Harris is still in the NLL and he now plays for Buffalo Bandits. He explained his journey within the NLL and was excited about his most recent trade to Buffalo Bandits.

Harris said, "My brother played for the team and I'll be close to home where family can come watch me play."

His journey was not the clearest when it came to lacrosse. It was a rough start for Harris and where to take the next step; which is where his dream for others begins. 28 Lacrosse was formed with the goal to help student athletes find or create necessary programs to get into college and universities, and to help with scouting.

28 Lacrosse brand is the spider web where many lacrosse players can find help in many different areas - even tutoring for SAT's.

Harris shared, "28 is the number of a dear friend Carney Johnson who suddenly passed away. He is remembered for being a big-hearted guy where if someone was being picked on during a game, he would stick up for them. He would always wear his heart on his sleeve for his team, and he was a very good friend of mine."

Harris uses not only Johnson's number but also the lesson he was given by him to wear your heart on your sleeve for your team and not only your team, but for the medicine game as well.

28 Lacrosse is just starting out this year. Harris took parts of the big dream and made it a reality for children. He saw the need for the children during a pandemic to get out and let loose, he works with Akwesasne children at the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club, naturally seeing the need firsthand. Jeff Shatler, a mentor to Harris, helped him bring everything into place and Twinleaf (CAA) joined forces with Harris to help with a free lacrosse camp held at the Benson Centre in Cornwall, ON.

28 Lacrosse offers free giveaways at practice and sometimes if there is a player that has inadequate equipment, they will help them out as well. 28 Lacrosse would not be able to offer free giveaways or free camps without the help of Twinleaf, Green Reserve, Herban Legend, 3TK Fitness, Budders Dispensary, UPS, Crossroad Tobacco, Quest TPS and the newest addition - String Kings.

The pandemic has shown many struggles when trying to build a lacrosse program such as finding a place that would accommodate a lacrosse camp. The Benson Centre is nice but there is also a limit to how many can attend the program. To help with the lack of space available he chose to offer special guests, especially for 28 Lacrosse's Sunday Program where each player pays $100 to join. Offering a special lacrosse guest at each session gives participants a special perk that helps make the program worth the money, which is what Harris wanted.

The program is running like a well-oiled machine and most of that credit is given to Harris's wife Valerie Jackson.

He said "Without her I wouldn't be this successful in the program, she is the backbone to the Brand."

Harris is also accompanied by Daniel Lazore, Wishe Benedict and newest member in the media department is Turner Thomas.

According to Harris, lacrosse is medicine and he loves the game. It makes him smile and helps him in a spiritual way as well, almost therapeutic. This is why he also formed a men's league at the St. Lawrence Complex in Massena. Harris offered it up to the men in Akwesasne and surrounding area. By the amount of interest he given, the league has enough players to form four teams. The games are broadcasted via 28 Lacrosse Facebook page on Thursday nights at 8pm and 9pm. The need for the men was there too, it wasn't just the kids who needed something to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 30th, 2021, 28 Lacrosse will be launching a website where you're able to request many forms of practices from one on one, semi-private and team practices. The brand is also working on merchandise, you can visit the website at 28lacrosse.com.

Vaughn Harris recalls his first day of camp and the drive to the Benson where his emotions were a mix of nerves and excitement to start the new journey. When he arrived, he was thoroughly shocked at the number of players and the number of smiles waiting for them to start. Afterwards he recalls the amount of excitement and gratitude for all that had fallen into place to make those dreams come true.