Lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports played in North America. Rooted in centuries of Native American tradition, the game took on many variations before reaching its present day form. The Foundation honors this truly original American heritage of the sport in the name of its trophy: "Tewaaraton," the Mohawk name for their game and the progenitor of present day lacrosse. The Tewaaraton Trophy has received the endorsement of the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders.

The bronze trophy featuring a Mohawk native was designed and created by Frederick Kail. Spanning four decades, Mr. Kail has distinguished himself as an accomplished sports sculptor and the pre-eminent lacrosse sculptor. With this timeless work of art, he captures the exciting spirit and powerful dynamics of lacrosse with meticulous attention to accurate detail. His depiction of a single unnamed Mohawk player, dramatically surging to the front, profoundly portrays the competitive human spirit and superior athletic ability required to win this award.

Adorned simply in a loincloth and golden eagle feather, the 12-inch figure is foundry-cast in a richly patinaed bronze. It is mounted upon a hexagon-shaped slab of black granite and handcrafted, highly polished exotic Cocobolo wood. The hexagonal base symbolizes the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy: the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora tribes. With some minor decorative exceptions, the stick is a replica of a pre-1845 Cayuga stick belonging to the grandfather of Alexander T. General of the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario. This stick was actually an original predecessor of the modern day stick. To assist with historical authenticity, Thomas Vennum, Jr., the renowned Native American lacrosse historian, and author of "American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War," served as a consultant to Kail through the development stage of the Trophy.

Card and the Pride return to action this Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. when they entertain the Villanova Wildcats at James M. Shuart Stadium in a key CAA contest. That game will help settle the positions of the four teams in the CAA Tournament Championship that begins on Wednesday, April 29 with semifinals and concludes on May 2nd. Hofstra (10-2, 5-0) has already clinched the regular season title and the top seed while Villanova (9-4, 3-2) could finish anywhere from second to fourth. Towson (6-8, 4-2) has clinched a CAA Tournament spot while the final spot will go to either Drexel or Delaware after the two teams meet in Philadelphia Saturday.

-Men's Nominees