In 1636, St Jean De Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary witnessed an athletic contest played between Native America tribes in the shores of ThunderBay. The Natives called it “The Creators Game” and played it with a passion nothing short of worship. It was explained to Saint Jean that the “Creators Game was played to cure disease and as an alternative to war. St Jean, noting the resemblance between the sticks they used and a bishop’s staff, or crosse, gave “The Creators Game a new name: LACROSSE