by from LaxMagazine.com Staff Reports | Twitter
Former Syracuse star Oren Lyons (Onondaga Nation) as been announced as the 2015 honoree for the Spirit of Tewaaraton award announced by the Tewaaraton Foundation on Monday afternoon.
The award will be presented at the annual Tewaaraton Awards Ceremony on May 28th at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
The Spirit of Tewaaraton award is presented to an individual who has contributed to the sport of lacrosse in a way that reflects the spirit of the values and the mission of the Tewaaraton Award. Past recipients include Dick Edell, Diane Geppi-Aikens, Sid Jamieson, A.B. “Buzzy Krongard, Roy Simmons Jr., Richie Moran, Bob Scott and Brendan Looney.
Lyons attended Syracuse on an athletic scholarship and was an All-American, helping lead the Orange to an undefeated season in 1957 alongside Jim Brown. His post-collegiate career saw him become a successful artist, distinguished professor at SUNY Buffalo and longtime leader in the international discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples. He has also been instrumental in the foundation and development of the Iroquois National Team, which recently took bronze – its highest placement ever, at the FIL World Championship in Denver.
“Oren embodies everything I believe this award is about. He was a terrific lacrosse player. But more than that, he’s a teacher, a mentor, and an ambassador, not just of the game of lacrosse, but of Native American culture. What he’s done to raise awareness of indigenous causes and other human rights issues has had an immeasurable impact on our society. I’m proud to call him a life-long friend,” said Roy Simmons, Jr., former Syracuse lacrosse coach and 2009 Spirit of Tewaaraton recipient.
yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! so well deserved.