So you think you’re bro?
Guess again. Lacrosse boys have been stereotyped since the day they learned how to cradle their stick and make the deepest pocket. These young men have been overheard talking about their new Patagonia, the length of their bro’s flow or how they just bought tickets to Pretty Lights or OAR more times than can be recorded.
But what is a lax bro?
Lax bros have been stereotyped as a bro, or dude who plays lacrosse and fully buys into the “lax culture.” Most of the bros populate the East Coast originating either from the Connecticut, Maryland or Boston area, where they most likely attended a boarding or private school.
Sophomore Sam Simon said, “I’m from Darien, Conn., and it’s pretty much lax-bro-county. Every boy I know in my town is the stereotypical lax bro.”
They tend to be suckers for Vineyard Vines, Polo shirts, Madras clothing and seersucker. But let’s also not forget the backward hats, mid-calf socks, neon 80s-styled rain gear or the classic “pinny.” A better example of what most people stereotype as a “lax bro” can be found on the popular YouTube video, “The Ultimate Lax Bro.”
The bros would prefer either a pair of Ray Bans or Oakley shades in the summertime, but most important is a pair of Rainbow flip-flops. After all they will be probably spending their summer throwing parties poolside or boating.
Not to mention that most bros tend to drive Jeeps. Their parents might buy them tricked-out Jeeps so they can carpool to and from practice. It’s a necessity. How else would they get their equipment to the field?
However, the most important feature of a stereotypical lax bro would be the hair. Laxers have sometimes even referred to their flow as “wavy lettuce,” and the longer the flow the better.
A lax bro lives the typical lax lifestyle, consisting of primarily chilling with only their teammates, having a catch with a fellow bro, working hard and partying harder. Lacrosse boys lead life thinking “once a bro, always a bro,” and they stay united as a team whether they play division or club.
Senior David Soohoo is an ex-lax bro and still finds that he hangs with his bros.
“I used to play lax in high school but stopped when I came to OWU, and one thing I’ve noticed is that I still chill with all my lax bros back home,” said Soohoo.
But not all bros fit the “lax bro label.” In fact, most lacrosse players here have broken that stereotype.
For example, junior Calvin Brown broke the lax bro stereotype long ago when he joined his fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. He played lacrosse at his boarding school, yes; however, when he came to Ohio Wesleyan, he didn’t join until his junior year.
“My main focus is on going to class, making grades and of course practice. We’re just trying to get better every day,” Brown said.
Junior Tim Carney from New Jersey is a key example of a lacrosse player who breaks the stereotype of a lax bro. Carney has been involved in the OWU community and demonstrates aspects of a well-rounded athlete, scholar and student.
Carney has played for the OWU men’s lacrosse team, but he was also the executive director for Mock Convention, co-chair of membership selection, former co-chair of leadership development for the President’s Club and former WCSA vice president.
When asked about being stereotyped as an athlete, Carney said, “I think there is a stereotype of the “lax bro” as seen by the YouTube video, but on OWU’s team this year, we have so many guys that break out of this stereotype and show they have a true drive for athletic and academic success.”
When it comes down to it, lax bros live a way of life similar to that of any other sports team here on campus.
They stick together whether they’re walking to class, going to practice, or maxing out their credit cards on fresh Patagonia pull-overs.
But what outsiders need to remember is that every lacrosse player is an athlete and scholar who clearly can break the stereotype of the “lax bro.”