The naming of Lacrosse, by French Canadien Jean De Brebeuf, occured after he saw a game between Huron Indian Tribes in 1637.  In his journal, Brebeuf referred to the game as "la crosier", or "La Crosse"  after the sticks resemblance to a shepard's cross.  
     There were many origin stories amongst the many North American Tribes that played the game,  often referring to it as "The Creator's Game."  A game given to humanity to help resolve conflict, heal the sick, and prepare for war. 

     The Mohawk name for the game 'baggataway' meaning 'little brother of war.'  Games often  included 1000’s of warriors on each team, who spent alot of time running around looking for the ball carrier.  In 1763, the Ojibwa Tribe used a lacrosse game to capture Fort Mackinac by inviting the fort's British troops to come out and watch. The game deliberately moved closer and closer to the gates, at which point the players/warriors rushed in and seized the fort. 
     Medicine Men served as the coaches back in this day, when they actually gazed at mini-sticks in order to predict future events.

     In 1856 William George Beers founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club. He codified the game in 1867 to shorten the length of each game, reduce the number of players, use a redesigned stick, and use a rubber ball. The first game played under Beers' rules was at Upper Canada College in 1867. During the 1860s lacrosse became Canada's national game.  The Mohawk Lacrosse Club in Troy, New York became the first organized club in the United States.