Jim Price can quite possibly claim the title of “Father of Canadian Field Lacrosse Officiating”. He
would not think of himself in that way but the hundreds of officials he developed in Canada and
around the world would feel the title was justified. He started out with the game through his
son playing Tyke Level Box Lacrosse around Canada’s Centennial in 1967. He would coach and
eventually referee box lacrosse.

He received his calling to officiating Men’s Field Lacrosse when Canada won its first World Filed
Lacrosse Championship in 1978 and the need for officiating in the burgeoning field game was
urgent. He would become a Master Clinician in Canada and after traveling to Baltimore for the
1982 World Field Lacrosse Championships he began to get very involved at the international
level. He became an Assesor in 1986 when Canada hosted the World Championship in Toronto
in 1986.

He was known for training officials across Canada, often on his own dime, staying in the camping
trailer that he would pull behind his car. He would start the Ontario Field Lacrosse Officials
Association and directed its merger with the established Ontario Lacrosse Referees Association.
Price would serve as a leader on many committees at the Provincial, National and International
Levels. This brought him the prestigious Lester B. Pearson Award which is presented to the great
contributors to our game.

Price would end up seeing the world and officiated in 25 countries – an amazing adventure and
contribution to the game. He also officiated Intercrosse around the globe .In Canada he would
referee Club, High School and University games. His colleagues affectionately refer to him as the
“Pope of Lacrosse” as he bears a remarkable resemblance to one of the past leaders of the
Church. You want to know Jim Price’s story as it is truly remarkable.