Strong Roots Foundation Hosts NLL Preseason Games

Talk about fast... this past weekend Akwesasne, lacrosse loving enthusiasts were treated to three National Lacrosse League (NLL) preseason games. The preseason weekend scheduled promised two games each among the Halifax Thunderbirds, the San Diego Seals and the Las Vegas Desert Dogs at A'nowara'ko:wa Arena. The NLL exhibition weekend was hosted by the Strong Roots Charitable Foundation.

Strong Roots Foundation president Carey Terrance said Strong Roots received business sponsorships to host the NLL exhibition weekend. The foundation is currently raising money to help the Akwesasne Freedom School build an all-natural playground.

Strong Roots Foundation Administrator Chessie White said, "Our Akwesasne Mohawk community has a deep attachment to lacrosse, not only for the medicine that it provides for our elders and others, but also for the educational pathways that it provides to our youth. To have our community's A'nowara'ko:wa Arena serve as location of their first pre-season game of the NLL season brings us immense pride that we trust will enrich and inspire the lives of our community members."

Many of the spectators looked for Oakley Thomas, an Akwesasronon who plays for the Halifax Thunderbirds on Saturday and Sunday. Nonkon Thomas is signed with the Thunderbirds, but didn't play this weekend. The exhibition games are for the younger, just signed and pre-signed players.

In the words of radio sports announcer, Goal of the National Lacrosse League action in Akwesasne... Akwesasronon Oakely Thomas straight from the faceoff win to the edge of the crease to score, fending off one check, then forearm shiver to the next defender, put him to the floor, then scores!"

NLL pre-season games will continue through November 26, with additional contests at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary and at venues in Brampton, Ontario, and the Onondaga Nation.

The preseason previews the largest schedule in NLL history, with 135 games as the 2022-23 regular season gets underway with Face Off Weekend on December 2-3, 2022. The NLL's 36th year opens with six games, three matchups in Canada and three in the U.S., as part of the 22-week schedule through April 29, 2023.

For more preseason lacrosse action, the 2022-23 NLL preseason schedule includes seven games will be played at TRAC, including three involving the host Toronto Rock, Philadelphia and Georgia will meet at Onondaga Nation on Saturday, November 26th.

The weekend roundup preseason games:

Friday: Las Vegas 9, San Diego 18

Saturday: Halifax 14, San Diego 18

Sunday: Las Vegas 12, Halifax 15

The full NLL regular season schedule is available at https://www.nll.com/schedule/full-schedule/

To donate, please visit strongroot.org/donations/725

The National Lacrosse League Exhibition Game between the San Diego Seals & Halifax Thunderbirds radio announcer Dennis Chaussi was gifted/presented with a handcrafted wooden lacrosse stick by Akwesasne lacrosse stick maker Jack Johnson & his wife Jessica. It was quite a surprise as Mike Benedict Jr. the weekend's 'color commentator' made the presentation on the CKON live radio broadcast.

Chaussi said, "I am honored and humbled that Jack & Jessica would gift me with one of their sticks for my broadcasting ability. I will cherish the stick and it will always be in my possession. Jack & Jessica, I appreciate your words conveyed by Mike as he made the presentation. It truly caught me off guard and brought a tear or two to my eyes. Niawen ko:wa!"