Members and supporters of the lacrosse club teams filled the auditorium at East Hills MS May 16 to urge the Bethlehem Area School District board to vote in favor of adding the sport to the district's varsity program.

The elimination of the club sports policy has come under discussion since the May 12 meeting. The district would like to eliminate the policy established in 2009 to prevent any potential liability the district would have if someone was injured.

Currently, under this policy, lacrosse is a club sport funded completely by the club. Players have to find their own rides to practice and games, which are held at fields off school grounds. The district makes sure the players conform to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association academic requirements.

If the district opts to eliminate the club sports policy without designating lacrosse as a varsity sport, the lacrosse players will have nowhere to play.

"We need to ensure that there is a stable lacrosse program to offer these students," said lacrosse club treasurer Ann Roll. "Now is the time. Our players have shown us their best and now it is our turn to give them our best in return."

During the meeting Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy provided the board with more information about adding lacrosse to BASD's sports program, specifically the costs. He spoke to the athletic directors for each high school and asked for reports on costs associated with adding the sport. Roy also said that uniforms and equipment will be donated by the clubs which reduces the start-up cost to about $55,000.

Director Eugene McKeon offered his support for adding the program.

"I know there is a lot of people here tonight and I heard Dr. Roy say the district is committed to finding the funding for varsity," said McKeon. "In the event the athletic department can't find a way [to make it work], I will still support the policy because I don't want the children to have the support pulled out from underneath them."

Director Basilio Bonilla also joined the discussion, stating his support for adding lacrosse as long as the funding is there.

After clarification on the subject from Dr. Roy, reversed his position on adding lacrosse to the BASD sports program after speaking out against the addition and walking out of the May 12 meeting.

Each statement of support was greeted with a standing ovation and thunderous applause that got even louder as officials and players who run and play on the club lacrosse teams spoke to the board during the second courtesy of the floor.

Joe Sexton, president and founder of the boys and girls club teams, presented the board with statistics about lacrosse and its rapid growth and popularity across the country. He also touched on the scholarship opportunities the sport opens up for players.

Currently, the club teams support about 140 players across the boys and girls teams.

"I just want to go off what my teammate said," added player Andrew Morgan. "If you guys choose to make lacrosse a sport, it would help us out greatly,"

The board will vote on whether lacrosse will be added to the current sports offerings in the district June 16 at East Hills MS at 7 p.m.