Turning Stone Resort Casino to Host 2011 Bowhunter Cup

Oneida Nation Homelands - The Bowhunter Cup, featuring the Iroquois Nationals and the U.S. Men’s National Indoor Lacrosse Team, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino. Faceoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Event Center.

This will be second annual edition of the Bowhunter Cup, a friendly competition between the Iroquois Nationals and the United States indoor teams. It’ll also mark the second time that the Oneida Nation has hosted a premier lacrosse event on its homelands. In February, the Event Center at Turning Stone was the site of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) All-Star Game.

The modern sport of lacrosse is derived from a game created by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) centuries ago, and it still inspires cultural passion and community healing. Oneidas and other Iroquois cherished the game as entertainment and physical conditioning, but lacrosse was also a spiritual celebration. The game was said to be a gift from the Creator and, often, the game was played simply to please the Creator. It was also described as the medicine game since it was used to peacefully settle disputes between nations or villages. After games, the people would gather for a feast, strengthening the confederacy.

At the Bowhunter Cup, Iroquois Nationals Head Coach Duane Jacobs will be joined on the bench by Syracuse University graduate Barry Powless and Buffalo Bandits (NLL) Assistant Coach Ron Henry.

The Iroquois Nationals are 3-1 all-time against Team USA in indoor competition, most recently winning in pool play at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. All-World midfielder Cody Jamieson (Syracuse University / Rochester Knighthawks) scored four goals to lead the Iroquois to an 11-10 comeback win at Eden Arena in Prague.

In addition to Jamieson, Oneida Nation Member Brett Bucktooth (Syracuse University / Buffalo Bandits), Sid Smith (Syracuse University / Rochester Knighthawks) and Jeremy Thompson (Syracuse University / Hamilton Nationals) are expected to suit up for the Iroquois Nationals.

In the 2010 Bowhunter Cup, Bill McGlone (University of Maryland / Philadelphia Wings) scored four goals to lead USA to their first-ever win over the Iroquois Nationals, a 13-11 victory at the War Memorial at Oncenter in Syracuse.

Team USA Head Coach Tom Ryan will be joined on the bench by Syracuse graduate Regy Thorpe, who currently serves as head coach of the Hamilton Nationals (MLL), and Philadelphia Wings (NLL) Assistant Coach Blane Harrison.  Max Seibald (Cornell University / Philadelphia Wings), Joe Smith (Towson University / Philadelphia Wings) and Ryan Hotaling (Nazareth College / Boston Blazers) are expected to suit up for Team USA.

Full rosters for the 2011 Bowhunter Cup will be announced soon.

Tickets, priced at $20 for upper bowl reserved seating and $10 for lower bowl general admission (or obstructed view) for adults, or $10 (all seats) for youth 12 and under, are available at the Turning Stone Box Office or by calling 361-SHOW or toll-free at 1-877-833-SHOW. The Box Office is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster location or online at ticketmaster.com.

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