Some folks believe that Travis Cook was born with a lacrosse stick in his hand. Others think it was a football. And there are a few who smile with pride as they recall the figure of Travis Cook bearing the Olympic Torch through the Syracuse area on its way to Salt Lake City on New Year’s Eve last year. Well. You’re ALL right because Travis Cook has truly done it all.

First, lacrosse. It began in 1962 when Travis played Bantam lacrosse in Cornwall, Ontario. Then on to Midget lax. And to high school where he led his Lafayette team to a league title and made first-team All-County in 1966. The next year, Travis led the Lancers to twenty wins and another league title. Travis led all scorers that year with 56 goals and 30 assists and again made All-County.

Following high school, Travis played and starred for Native American teams representing the Onondaga Nation and the St. Regis Braves of the Interprovincial Junior B Lacrosse League. In 1970 and 1971, the Braves won titles and Travis was leading scorer and MVP.

Travis’ collegiate career was at Oswego State where he played midfield and led the Lakers to a 6 – 2 season and won the team’s MVP award. He forfeited his senior year to play the pro game for the Syracuse Stingers, a flop here but champions the next year when the team moved to Quebec City.

On the gridiron, Travis was equally skilled, A 6’4″ tight end at Oswego, he caught the eyes of scouts from the Canadian Football League as well as the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. Fortunately for all of us, Travis Cook really WAS born with a lacrosse stick in his hand, not a football.