The Trophy

The bronze Tewaaraton Trophy featuring a Mohawk native was designed and created by Frederick Kail. Spanning four decades, Mr. Kail has distinguished himself as an accomplished sports sculptor and pre-eminent lacrosse sculptor. With this timeless work of art, he captures the exciting spirit and powerful dynamics of lacrosse with meticulous attention to accurate detail. His depiction of a single unnamed Mohawk player, dramatically surging to the front, profoundly portrays the competitive human spirit and superior athletic ability required to win this award.

Adorned simply in a loincloth and golden eagle feather, the 12-inch figure is foundry-cast in a rich patinaed bronze. It is mounted upon a hexagon-shaped slab of black granite and handcrafted, highly polished exotic Cocobolo wood. The hexagonal base symbolizes the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy: The Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora tribes. With some minor decorative exceptions, the stick is a replica of a pre-1845 Cayuga stick belonging to the grandfather of Alexander T. General of the six Nations Reserve in Ontario. The stick was actually an original predecessor of the modern day stick. To assist with the historical authenticity, Thomas Vennum, Jr. the renowned Native American lacrosse historian, and author of “American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War,” served as consultant to Kail through the development stage of the Trophy.

The original castings are part of the permanent collection and are currently on display at the University Club of Washington, DC and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in Baltimore, Md. Bronze replications of this magnificent trophy are awarded annually to the most outstanding female and male varsity collegiate lacrosse player in the United States.