Wilkes University recently welcomed a men’s lacrosse team to the college. It has been a long time coming, but now there are men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.

Both teams will have games in the spring season. Curtis Jaques will be the head coach to the new team, with help from Assistant Coach Casey Flynn and Graduate Assistant Michael DeBlasio.

The new season starts up in January, with their first official game in March against Ferrum College in Ferrum, Virginia.

As the new team is forming, so are new traditions. Since the holiday season is coming up and the newly established lacrosse team wants to start spreading some holiday cheer. The team will be partnering up with Toys for Tots to collect toys for people in the community who aren’t able to purchase toys for their loved ones.

Since Nov. 13, there have been huge boxes waiting to be filled with toys placed in strategic places around campus. These boxes are located in the UCOM, the Henry Student Center, and the Martz gym. The boxes will stay there until Dec. 18.

The team would greatly appreciate if anyone willing could donate a new, unwrapped, child appropriate toy (no guns, knives, or food). Donating will help brighten up the holiday season for a child in need.

This is the first ever fundraiser by the team, but definitely not the last.

The team hopes this fundraiser not only collects many great toys for children, but that it gives more awareness about the new team. Junior defender Daravann Lok is excited for this season to start.

“I have very high expectations for this season, I’m hoping with this fundraiser we can build a really good fan base.”