Relive the pioneering days of professional indoor lacrosse with this exclusive Washington Wave (1987-1989) vintage tee!
This premium throwback shirt celebrates one of the founding teams of professional box lacrosse in America. The Washington Wave was an American lacrosse team that competed in the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League (later renamed the Major Indoor Lacrosse League) from 1987 to 1989, playing their home games at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.
The Wave was part of history right from the start, being one of the four original franchises when Chris Fritz and Russ Cline incorporated the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League in 1986. The inaugural 1987 season featured the Washington Wave, Baltimore Thunder, Philadelphia Wings, and New Jersey Saints, marking the birth of professional indoor lacrosse in the United States.
The team was led by respected coach Bud Beardmore, who had previously won two national titles with the University of Maryland Terrapins. Notable players for the Wave included Brad Kotz and Frank Urso, who helped establish the franchise as a competitive force despite its brief existence.
The Wave came tantalizingly close to championship glory in both of their first two seasons. In 1987, they reached the championship game but lost a heartbreaker to the Baltimore Thunder 11-10. History nearly repeated itself in 1988 when they again made it to the championship final, only to suffer another one-goal defeat, falling to the New Jersey Saints 17-16. Following the 1989 season, the franchise folded, but its legacy lives on as part of the early history of what would eventually become today's National Lacrosse League.
Our distressed, vintage-look design captures that authentic late-80s lacrosse nostalgia with a perfectly weathered, cracked appearance that looks like it's been in your collection since the league's inaugural season.
Product Details:
- Premium Gildan 5000 heavy cotton (5.3 oz, 100% preshrunk)
- Classic unisex fit available in sizes S-5XL
- Multiple color options available
- Tear-away label for maximum comfort
- Vintage design printed on front only (back is blank)
- Produced using cutting-edge direct-to-garment printing technology
Perfect for lacrosse history buffs, D.C. area sports enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates vintage memorabilia from the pioneering days of professional indoor lacrosse. Own a piece of box lacrosse history today!