Last Memorial Day weekend, nearly 178,000 people attended the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships in Philadelphia. The huge crowds set a new record for the tournament, breaking the previous mark of 176,148—which was set just the year before, in Baltimore. The soaring attendance of the 10-year-old tournament makes clear that lacrosse is a sport on the rise, but the fastest game on two feet remains unknown to many. For those looking to learn more about lacrosse—and maybe see what the fuss is all about—Penn isn’t a bad place to be. Besides, the games here are free. The Quakers, looking to bounce back from a rough 2005 season, will face some of the nation’s best later this year (Cornell and Princeton are both capable of making the 2006 tourney, again to be held in Philly) so the March 25 match-up with Harvard could be a turning point. Can a talented group of freshmen (eight of whom were high school All-Americans) help get the Quakers back on track? After a 3-0 start this season, it seems the answer might be yes. —T.H

—Penn takes on Harvard in men’s lacrosse. Noon on March 25 at Franklin Field. For more information, visit www.pennathletics.com.