For most of the players at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships, this is a trip to Utica, New York. For Israel’s Yakov Silberlicht, it’s a homecoming.
Silberlicht was born and raised in Utica before moving to Israel after college. He found out the tournament would be played in his hometown around seven months ago and was pumped for it.
“Home for me right now is Israel, so on the one hand it’s kind of an away game,” Silberlicht said. “But on the other hand, with my parents, friends and people I grew up with here, it’s home-field advantage definitely.”
This is not the first time Silberlicht has played in the Utica University Nexus Center. He won a New York hockey state championship in the arena. He also played in a lacrosse tournament in Utica last October.
“I have some awesome memories in this building,” Silberlicht said. “I was super excited to return to this facility.”
Silberlicht is a key member for Israel. Head coach Chad Culp met Silberlicht in 2014 when training in Philadelphia for the 2015 men’s box championship. He recalled how committed Silberlicht was to the game.
“I remember how intense he was,” Culp said. “He’s what Israel Lacrosse wants to be — hardworking and passionate.”
Over the course of the last decade, Culp has seen Silberlicht grow as a leader, becoming one of the team’s captains. Culp said Silberlicht’s voice in the locker room has improved as the years have progressed.
“He was more of ‘show-it on the floor’ guy early,” Culp said. “Now he’s vocal, he gets the boys rallied and gets them fired up.”
Silberlicht serves as the VP of External Affairs for Israel. He said he works so he can grow lacrosse in Israel.
“What we do with Israel Lacrosse is develop the sport on the ground,” Silberlicht said. “I was very lucky and privileged to get the opportunities that I got, and there are people in Israel who want to play lacrosse and they deserve a voice.”
Culp said that the organization greatly appreciates the work Silberlicht has put it, both on and off the field.
“It’s a lot of respect for the guy to help grow the sport,” he stated. “The organization can’t be thankful enough for it.”
Silberlicht’s friends and family have been housing some of his teammates for the tournament.
“I want the guys to feel welcome in this community and have a place to stay,” he said. “I want them to feel at home just as I do.”
