Vail Lacrosse Shootout - Do's and Don'ts

Hello friends. I've been coming to Vail for 15 years and I've seen some great things and had some of my most memorable times in Vail, Colorado. I've seen my share of behind-the-back game winning goals, point-blank saves, in-your-face denials (both on and off the field), incredible sunsets, drunken runs straight up the Vail mountain, tequila body shots, symphony concerts at Ford Ampatheater, Friday Afternoon Club at the top of the gondola, poaching a neighbor's (Ok, total stranger's) Jacuzzi for a late-night soak. A golf foursome of lacrosse players who forgot they had a tee-time because they were too tired from playing lacrosse. I've also seen nasty mountain bike wrecks, broken mountain bikes, coaches falling out of the whitewater raft, sunburns, road rash, fake groin pulls to get attention from the attractive athletic trainers. I've also seen women's teams with their own drinking apparatus (beer bongs) and other things too numerous and incriminating to mention publicly. I mention all of this because the Vail Shootout is special, few players ever get to play at this level and unless you were in the NCAA tournament, this is likely to be the most prestigious tournament you'll play in.

If you're joining us this year in Vail as a player or a fan, or if a friend is, here are some rules to make the most of your trip to Vail for the Lacrosse Shootout. They are in no particular order, but are the product of years of combined experience drawn from many sources. Feel free to send me others you think should be added to this unscientific guide to the Vail Lacrosse Shootout.

I would suggest seeing the fireworks in Avon if possible but this year (2002), the fire danger is too high and the fireworks displays have been cancelled. Maybe next year you can catch them. Vail's are great too, but Avon's are a bit better, and both are set to music and light up the sky for 20-40 minutes.

Go to Nicks at least once late night between July 4^th and Juy 7th. Craziness happens there and you definitely won't be bored. Crowd yourself on the dance floor and have a shot of your favorite poison.

Take the gondola up to the top of Vail to catch the view. If you're adventurous, ride down on a mountain bike, but be careful, the Vail Medical Center is expensive and you have to pay before you leave, even if you have insurance. Thankfully, they take credit cards.

Go hiking or better yet, rafting to see the wild side of the Rockies. Days on the field and nights in Nicks and the Red Lion don't make a complete Vail experience. Rafting will get your juices flowing and will remind you that you're in the wild of nature.

Respect the speed limit and take the bus if you've been drinking. Vail hires lots of very friendly police who are polite but will give you a one-way ride to the pokey if you're not safe. Remember, if you visit the pokey, your lax playing is over.

Don't pee in public or have an open container in Vail Village or some other less than brilliant violation of the town ordinances. (See my pokey or play lax comment above).

Go to Avon and check out the great action on the women’s fields. The women are talented, tough and they have great legs.

Have at least one great dining experience in Vail. Drop the Amex and treat yourself. They know how to cook in Vail and you won't be disappointed.

See the symphony that plays in the Ford Ampetheater every night from June 30- July 9^th. They serve beer and wine during the concert and listening to great music as the sun goes down is pure magic after a great day of lax.

Wear sunscreen. Lots of it. 8,000 feet of altitude, 2 weeks after summer solstice.

Fall in love. Either with your current significant other, or with someone new. The magic of Vail has changed lives. Gabby Roe (Executive Director of Major League Lacrosse) met his wife in Vail. You might also.

If you're not playing at the same time, see the Vail 4^th of July Parade as it winds thru the town and to Lionshead. A lots of fun, lots of kids, great community involvement, and very patriotic.

Obey the weight limit signs in hotel elevators, especially at the Everygreen Lodge. One night (ok, 3:30 AM but who's counting) the fire department and police had to rescue a stuck elevator overcrowded with happy (read: drunk) lacrosse players (both men and women). I wasn't there... but my good friend was stuck in there.

Play lacrosse hard. Be serious about it and remember to leave it all on the field. For most of us, Vail is as big as it gets since we didn't play on a team that made it to the NCAA tournament. Take the games seriously and everything else will be more fun.

Celebrate. The Vail tournament was created to showcase and celebrate the game on a national basis. Celebrate your game, your tournament and your sport.

Make plans to return, or if you can't come this year, come next year. If you are a lacrosse fan or player, nothing beats the 4^th of July in Vail, Colorado.

See you there or next year.

Matt Peterson

Comments? Questions?: matt@vaillacrosse.com