White Pines Lacrosse, a youth development organization based in Sandpoint, has taken a significant step forward by launching a semi-pro team in the Box Lacrosse League’s Western Conference. The team made its debut on July 11 at Eagles Ice Arena in Spokane, competing against the Boise Bighorns in what marked a major milestone for the three-year-old program.
The organization was founded in 2023 to address what local lacrosse enthusiasts saw as a gap in youth development opportunities in the Sandpoint community. What began as summer and fall camps for young players has evolved into a comprehensive program spanning first grade through high school, with advanced players now competing in 3-on-3 format games alongside the newly minted semi-pro roster.
Building from Youth to Semi-Pro
The expansion reflects the program’s rapid growth and the talent pipeline it has developed. Several Sandpoint High School students have earned recognition on all-conference teams, and at least one player has committed to pursue lacrosse at the NAIA level, demonstrating the program’s success in nurturing competitive athletes.
Chad Cole, who serves as general manager of the White Pines semi-pro team, described the opening game experience with evident enthusiasm. The team jumped to a 3-0 lead early in the contest, energizing both the players and spectators. “The kids were super excited to watch it, and then, that first moment jumping up 3-0, and all the players, everyone’s on a high. It was electric for the whole game, and it’s a super special moment. It’s a core memory at this point,” Cole said of the debut.
While the White Pines lost both games in the initial matchup against Boise, the team remains focused on its remaining schedule. Four games are still ahead, including double-header matchups against Salt Lake City Storm and Salt Lake City Surge, with the final contests hosted at Eagles Ice Arena in Spokane.
Navigating Facility Constraints
The relocation of home games to Spokane highlights a current limitation for the Sandpoint region: the absence of an indoor lacrosse facility. However, regional planning efforts may soon change that landscape. The City of Ponderay is actively working on a project called the Field of Dreams, which would include construction of an ice rink and other recreational infrastructure.
Cole indicated that White Pines remains committed to continued expansion. “We’ll keep doing more until we find the limit, which we haven’t touched yet. When you’re not fighting against things, and it all falls in line, it works out pretty well,” he said, suggesting that facility improvements could further accelerate the program’s trajectory.
The difference between 3-on-3 and traditional 10-on-10 formats illustrates one advantage of smaller-sided play: ball involvement increases significantly. In 3-on-3 games, players touch the ball an estimated 20 to 30 times per game, compared to just three or four touches in the full 10-on-10 format, which allows for more skill development and decision-making opportunities for each athlete.
Cole’s own family connection to the program—his son plays on the White Pines summer ball team—reflects the community investment that has fueled White Pines’ expansion from a grassroots initiative to a competitive semi-pro organization in just three years.
What Comes Next
White Pines will continue its Box Lacrosse League season through the remaining four games. The success of the semi-pro debut, despite the opening losses, underscores the demand for organized lacrosse competition in North Idaho. Pending the completion of the Field of Dreams project in Ponderay, future home games could be hosted much closer to the Sandpoint community, potentially attracting more local fans and players to the sport.