Lethbridge College group -- Credit to Michele Penz

By Connor Gunn

Lethbridge College students create new “unbreakable” Lacrosse stick

Oct 2, 2020 | 10:39 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– A team of former-Lethbridge College engineering design and drafting technology students say they have found the answer to building a better lacrosse stick.

The group received recognition from the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) as one of the provincial finalists for the 2020 Capstone Project of the Year Award.

Normal lacrosse sticks may be composed of steel, aluminum, carbon fibre, and other materials, such as wood and titanium.

Seeing progress with technology gives new hope to the future of the sport.

“Badminton and tennis rackets also break but not as frequently as box lacrosse and hockey sticks,” said Certified Engineering technologist Ralph Dabao.

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“For a lacrosse player, choosing the right equipment is as important a decision as it is with any other sport, and can prove costly.”

“Unfortunately, a lightweight, expensive stick is as useless as a cheap, heavy stick once it’s damaged.”

Dabao says now that there’s a new way to make Lacrosse sticks, his team hopes to keep moving forward with revolutionizing the process.

The following information on the group was provided by ASET.

About the Capstone Project of the Year Award finalist team

Ralph Dabao, certified engineering technologist (CET)
While growing up in Manila, Philippines, Dabao always knew he would end up in the engineering field. As a boy, he would visit his father, an electrical engineer, at his office and watch him using AutoCAD to design electrical systems for buildings. After moving to Canada in 2017 and working as a designer/drafter, he wanted to ensure his skills were up-to-date and completed the engineering design and drafting technology program at Lethbridge College. When not going the distance in his career, he takes part = in endurance sports, such as triathlons, swimming, cycling, and =running.

Nathan McMurray, technologist-in-training (TT)
Born, raised and currently working in Lethbridge, Nathan McMurray chose Lethbridge College’s engineering design and drafting technology program because of the level of detail and technical skills involved. In his free time, he enjoys ?y-?shing, hiking and bouldering.

Austin Bruder, technologist-in-training (TT)
A native of Pincher Creek, Austin Bruder is a proud graduate of Lethbridge College’s engineering design and drafting technology program, which he chose because he finds the design process fascinating. When not working, he participates in horseback riding, dancing, and canoeing.

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