Some days, Elena Furrow feels like she has two full-time jobs.
As a family medicine physician, she has her hands full with patient care for many hours every day. Then during evenings and weekends, she transitions into her second role as president of the Zootown Lacrosse Club in Missoula, Montana – a role that she loves but one that demands almost every extra hour that she has.
As president of this non-profit club for high school girls, the tasks demanded of Furrow seem to be never-ending. There’s the recruiting of coaches and officials, creating game schedules, securing fields and gyms for practice and games, organizing community events and clinics, planning and leading the monthly board meetings, maintaining the club’s website and social media accounts, and dozens of other tasks large and small.
Despite the overwhelming nature of spearheading this “niche” sport in western Montana, Furrow loves what she is doing.
“I feel it's worth it at the end the season when I know our program was successful and the kids had fun playing,” she said. “I also appreciate the people I've met and become friends with along the way.”
Many of those friends appreciate all that Furrow is doing and has done in recent years to grow the game in the Missoula Valley. She is in her first year as club president after previously serving as vice president and a member of the leadership board for five years.
“El is a strong leader and is very helpful to not only the other board members, but also to other lacrosse club boards,” said Angie Kremkau, a Zootown lacrosse parent and committee member.
Since Montana has not yet sanctioned high school lacrosse, play is coordinated through local clubs that must constantly recruit new kids to the sport. Collaboration between clubs throughout the state is critical to the ongoing success of the game.
“El recently drove from Missoula to Bozeman and back in one day (400 miles roundtrip) to attend the Montana Youth Lacrosse Association meeting and to represent Missoula Lacrosse,” Kremkau said. “She pays attention to youth lacrosse knowing that if the youth don’t succeed, our high school programs won’t succeed.”
While high school sanctioning is always the goal, Furrow tries to find the positives in the current tapestry of the sport in Montana.
“Our club has players from four different high schools playing within an inclusive and supportive community environment that allows them to form bonds with other girls they would never have met in a school sport,” Furrow said.
As a reflection of that unity, the club recently changed its name from Spartans to Zootown.
“The club name was originally just representative of one high school which had the mascot of Spartans, and we wanted a neutral name that was inclusive and representative of the community as a whole,” Furrow said. “The name Zootown comes from the sound "zoo" in Missoula. We had a list of 12 potential names and the players voted, with Zootown winning.”
Providing support to the players and coaches is among Furrow’s top priorities.
“She keeps personal tabs on all the coaches to make sure their needs are met and also organizes local volunteer opportunities for the athletes so that they understand that it's not just about lacrosse but also about giving back to the community,” Kremkau said. “Elena is all heart and she really cares. Whatever she helps with, she improves.”
Community Heroes
This USA Lacrosse online series seeks to recognize individuals who are helping to grow lacrosse on the grass roots level. Do you know a USA Lacrosse member who is making a positive difference in their community? Submit an online nomination and share their story.
