Former Statesmen Jim Calder Penned "Lacrosse: The Ancient Game"
(Courtesy of Hobart Athletic Communications)
GENEVA, N.Y. -- Last month, Hobart College Athletics hosted author Jim Calder '79 for a book signing in the Trophy Lobby of Bristol Gym. The co-author of Lacrosse: The Ancient Game returned to campus along with his fellow teammates for Hobart's Lacrosse Alumni Weekend.
The coffee table style book was a collaborative effort by Calder with co-authors Ron Fletcher and Cayuga Faithkeeper Dao Jao Dre, illustrators David Craig and Arnold Jacobs, editor Noel Hudson, and designer Gill Stead.
Calder and Jacobs also spoke at the event, which coincided with Hobart's Lacrosse Alumni Weekend. The Statesmen also held an alumni game on Boswell Field.
Lacrosse: The Ancient Game is richly illustrated. It mixes the creation stories of the First Nations people with the historical records of the first Europeans who first witnessed and then went on to play the game with the aboriginal people. Factual data will include accounts from the Jesuits, brand new illustrations from top North American artists, historical pictures by George Catlin and others, right up to the first rules provided by Dr. George Beers and subsequent presentations of the game to British Royalty, and finally, U.S. expansion. Stories include how the game was viewed in the early creation stories of the First Nations.
A two-time All-American in lacrosse, Calder was a member of the Statesmen's NCAA Championship winning squads of 1976 and 1978. He was inducted into the Hobart Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. The native Canadian was a member of the 1978 Canadian World Championship team that beat the United States 17-16 in overtime. Inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a member of that team, he also was selected to the 1982 Canadian World Team.
After his playing days ended, Calder remained active in lacrosse as the program coordinator for the Ontario Lacrosse Association from 1981-83. The World Lacrosse Games Associate Director in 1986, he also served as the general manager for the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union from 1986-1995. Calder also served as the driving force behind the 2004 ILF World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.
Lacrosse: The Ancient Game is available in soft cover and hardcover. A list of retail locations where it can be purchased is located on the website www.lacrossetheancientgame.com. Customers can also purchase the book online.
For more information and interview opportunities with any of the team, contact Jim Calder at info@lacrossetheancientgame.com.
