Woodson Embraces Being A Role Model

7/23/10 11:05 AM

By: Dan Kopf

Since high school, Chesapeake Bayhawk’s Attackman Chazz Woodson knew he’d be a role model. “During my freshman year I did community service at Monroe Elementary, which was an all-male public school, and at the end of the community service the kids gave me a gift,” Woodson said. “From that moment on I knew that I was someone who kids looked up to.”

Woodson has embraced being a role model, not only through mentoring, but also through the numerous lacrosse camps he runs each year. Woodson’s altruistic nature can be traced back to lacrosse. “I think lacrosse is about giving back. A lot of people have helped me play in tourneys and leagues even to this day, and I’ve always felt it was my responsibility to give back.”

Woodson has not only given back his time and resources but he has also paved the way for future generations of lacrosse.

During his adolescence, Woodson played lacrosse at Norfolk Academy under the tutelage of National Lacrosse Hall of Famer, Tom Duquette. Duquette has coached at the Academy for 29 years and has seen the growth of lacrosse sky rocket in Virginia since he began coaching. “In 1980-81 we were the only school that played. Now there are seven independent schools that have varsity schools and most public high schools have club teams as well,” Duquette said.

Woodson has been instrumental in not only bringing lacrosse to the Norfolk area but in also spreading the sport of lacrosse throughout the local African American community. “When I went to the Princeton camp when I was younger, I was the only black kid,” Woodson said. “It’s really special to be a pioneer in that regard. I’m not the first and won’t be the last but I’m still part of that first group paving the way.”

Woodson’s lacrosse camps are only some of the camps sprouting up across the nation designed to get inner city kids involved in lacrosse. Despite the recent progress however, Duquette feels that there is still not enough diversity in the sport. “I think the lack of diversity is a little bit disappointing and I think the game has a long way to go,” Duquette said. “Just look at the lack of diversity in the crowd of this year’s final four. Lacrosse started at the grass roots level and change has happened in the past but it’s too good of a game not too spread.”

Every time he puts on his uniform Woodson looks to continue to pave the way for future generations of young African American lacrosse players. “For me coming back to this area is saying that we [Virginia] can not only produce great players but great black players as well,” Woodson said. “There’s also an enormous amount of talent here.”

Although Chazz had first assumed the duty of a role model at Monroe Elementary years ago, he still carries out that duty today. “Now I get emails and facebook messages from young kids saying that I’m their hero, and I know it’s all been worth it,” Woodson said.

For more from Chazz check out this blog courtesy IMG Lacrosse Academies

2010 Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend presented by Warrior
August 21-22, Annapolis, MD
For information and tickets go to www.majorleaguelacrosse.com