Turning Stone Casino Hosting The 2011 NLL All-Star Games

Oneida, NY (WIBX) -The 2011 All-Star Lacrosse Game is coming to upstate New York. Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter made the announcement today along with George Daniel, Commissioner of the National Lacrosse League.

Daniel said he made the suggestion to bring the All-Star Game to the area. He said, "We had some discussions with them about doing some things and I suggested, 'why not host our All-Star Game', we hadn't awarded it yet this year and those discussions transpired over the last several months and we ended up coming together and they thought it was a great idea--we thought it was a great idea and here we are."

Halbritter said the game of Lacrosse originated from Native Americans and it's only natural to host the All-Star Game here saying, "We're just delighted to be working with Commissioner Daniel on bringing this event to upstate New York and our community." Halbritter said the legend of the game of Lacrosse has cultural and spiritual elements for Native Americans that teaches about life's lessons.

Daniel said bringing the All-Star Game to the area was also a way to honor the history of the game. He said, "The cultural aspect, reaching back to the roots of the game as well as just being a very Lacrosse centric region with Syracuse University and all the Youth Programs, it all just made the right sense."

NLL player and Oneida Nation member, Bret Bucktooth said bringing the game to Oneida speaks volumes. He said," I think it's going to boost the overall awareness of Native players in the league so I think its going to be a really nice joy for the Nation to host this event and I hope the players and people come out and enjoy the event." He said there are at least 10 Native American players in the NLL. Bucktooth was one of the players refused entry into England last year to take part in the Lacrosse World Games due to passport and sovereignty related issues.

The 2011 NLL All-Star Game is happening on Sunday, February 27th at 2PM at the Turning Stone Casino Event Center. The games will also be televised nationally by VERSUS. Ticket prices are $20 and $30 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the Turning Stone Box Office or by calling (315) 361-SHOW or toll free at 1-877-833-SHOW. Box Office hours are 10AM - 8PM daily. Tickets can also be purchased at any Ticketmaster location.