Oren Lyons, Sr.
Oren Raymond Lyons Sr. (1911-1956) was an Onondaga citizen. He was born and raised in the Onondaga Nation and grew up playing lacrosse.
In the 1920s and 1930s, lacrosse moved indoors and developed into the fast and exciting game of box lacrosse. During this time, Onondaga fielded teams that played both indoor and outdoor games.
Oren played goalie for the outdoor and indoor teams for Onondaga. He also played goalie for the professional indoor box lacrosse team, the Syracuse Red Devils. The Red Devils played in downtown Syracuse, which is now named the Syracuse Museum and Science Center.
After a game played against Syracuse University at Archibold Stadium, the renowned S.U. Coach Laurie Cox said of Lyons after a game against Onondaga, “He is the best goalie in the country.”
