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on June 19, 2014 at 1:00 PM, updated June 19, 2014 at 1:03 PM
FROM PENNLIVE.COM
Eugene Arkhipov was six years old when he and his family moved from Russia to the United States.
Mechanicsburg to be exact.
It was here where he discovered a love and a passion for lacrosse, cutting his teeth with Harrisburg Academy until seventh grade and continuing into high school with Cumberland Valley and into college with Rochester Institute of Technology.
Upon graduating from RIT in 2009, Arkhipov came to the realization that his lacrosse playing days were over.
In the United States, that is.
(MORE AFTER THE JUMP)
These days, Arkhipov has found a home in his original home. He's been residing in Moscow, Russia, since 2010 and is once again playing the sport that has brought him so much joy and so many great memories.
"Playing lacrosse in high school was so much fun. I've had so many great memories and it's the most fun I've ever had in my life," said Arkhipov.
"Once I got to college, lacrosse starting feeling more like a job."
Now, lacrosse has become enjoyable and a job for Arkihpov.
The 27-year-old, a 2005 Cumberland Valley grad, is gradually building popularity and gaining exposure for lacrosse in Russia and will lead his home country into the World Lacrosse Championships July 10-19 in Denver, Colorado.
It will be Russia's inaugural appearance at the World Championships. The 23-man roster, though, contains just as many Americans as Russians.
Eager for lacrosse to continue its expansion into Europe, the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) grants some leniency in who can qualify to be on an international roster.
Team Russia is comprised of native Russians as well as American players who have parents or grandparents with Russian heritage or someone like Arkhipov, who carries dual citizenship.
"This is a huge deal for the country," Arkhipov said.
"It's a fresh new, sport and the beginning is the most important part."
For the past three-plus years, Arkhipov has helped grow the Moscow Lacrosse Club (founded in 2007 by David Diamonon), the premier lacrosse team in Russia, from a group of beginners to a team that has competed in tournaments in places like Latvia, Belgium and Serbia.
It hasn't been easy for Arkhipov and his teammates. Family and job commitments, plus access and cost of practice fields limit time spent on the practice field mainly to weekends.
Arkhipov, himself, can't devote all of his time to developing a continuity with the Russian national team. He helps direct a software company in Moscow and also is an English language instructor on the side.
And in a sport and tournament that's been dominated by the U.S. and Canada, it's an uphill battle for Arkhipov's Moscow crew.
Furthermore, the Russian team will be shuffling off to the FIL Championships on their own dime, so Arkhipov is looking to raise money wherever he can. He and his team areselling Russian lacrosse merchandise to help offset the costs of flight travel, food and lodging.
Make no mistake, wins will likely be few for Russia at the World Championships, which began in 1967. Since that time, the championship has been won by either the U.S. or Canada.
"I might be biased, but I think we have a really decent roster. We have a lot of American guys and we're all working really hard," Arkhipov said.
"Our main objective is to go out there and focus on winning win one game. After that, let's try to grow this thing.
"We have a lot of talent on paper, but sometimes it's hard to trust paper."
Arkhipov is very passionate and dedicated to growing lacrosse in Russia and it comes as no surprise to one of his former coaches.
"He was always a gritty, tough player and he hated to lose," said Trinity boys' lacrosse coach Dave Heisey, who coached Arkhipov at Harrisburg Academy.
"He brings that same energy into anything he does."
Arkhipov spent a year as one of Heisey's assistants at Harrisburg Academy after he graduated from RIT. One year later, Arkhipov was in Russia and the rest is history.
In just a few weeks, Arkhipov and his team will be looking to make history.
"This whole thing has been a big surprise," Arkhipov said.
"I never thought I'd be back in Moscow and playing lacrosse. Life is so strange sometimes and opportunities can come out of the blue.
"Sometimes connections are made for you and opportunity comes knocking and you have no choice but to go for the door."
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