The Tewaaraton Award is given annually to the top male and female college lacrosse players in the country. While the lacrosse community knows this honor well, those outside may not, which is why you often see “the Heisman of lacrosse” noted after mentioning the award.
It makes sense to include that in the description because it’s an easy way to describe the Tewaaraton. The award has been around since 2001 (compared to the Heisman, which has been given annually since 1935).
So, if you’re not familiar with the Tewaaraton, here are the essentials to know about the highest individual honor in college lacrosse:
Why it’s called the Tewaaraton
Lacrosse is one of the oldest sports in North America, originally played by Native Americans.
“It’s a game that Native Americans played in times of war and times of peace as a way to, kind of, honor the creator,” said Maryland’s Taylor Cummings, the first and only three-time recipient of the Tewaaraton from 2014-16.
When the University Club of Washington, D.C. decided on the award’s name, it seemed natural to link the trophy with the roots of its heritage.
Tewaaraton (pronounced deh-wa-al-la-don or teh-war-a-ton) is the word for “lacrosse” in Mohawk language. The Iroquois Nation is believed to be the founder of the…
