Garden City and Manhasset high schools will renew the longest uninterrupted public high school lacrosse rivalry in the nation at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, on Garden City's Warren King Field. Known as the Woodstick Classic, the annual boys' varsity lacrosse game will mark the 117th meeting between the two schools since 1935.

In recent years crowds of more than 2,000 have been the norm for the Woodstick Classic, and games have been highly competitive. Twelve of the last 16 contests have been decided by two goals or less, and three went to overtime, according to Jake White, Garden City High School Class of 1962 and statistician extraordinaire.

The game will be broadcast April 30 at 10 p.m. on Telecare, Cablevision Channel 29.

"The Garden City Trojans and Manhasset Indians represent the highest standards and best traditions of lacrosse in Nassau County. They rank at the top in wins and championships and boast some of the finest players and coaches in the sport," White said.

On April 8, Newsday incorrectly reported that the Garden City School Board of Education had refused permission for the game to be broadcast on MSG. In reality, the board did not in any way act to prevent the program from airing. Instead, the compressed time frame required to make telecast arrangements with MSG resulted in the network making other arrangements, even though both parties were interested in having the game broadcast.

To address the matter, the Board of Education arranged to have the game broadcast on April 30, thus demonstrating the board's commitment to finding responsible outlets for showcasing Garden City interscholastic athletics.

Lacrosse at Manhasset High School began in 1932, when Jason Stranahan introduced the game to his students. "Stranahan had played the game at Union College and was looking to expand his school's spring sports options," White said. "By 1934 the Indians were playing games against members of the Metropolitan-Long Island Lacrosse League, which included teams in New York City, Westchester and Connecticut."

Seeking a local rival, Stranahn approached Garden City High School's Jim Steen, a Springfield graduate who was starting an athletic program at the new school-and Long Island's first lacrosse rivalry was born.

The first official game between the teams was played on May 22, 1935, and was won by Manhasset, 9-0. With a head start, the Indians dominated the early years before Garden City became competitive in the 1940s. That early lead has provided the Indians with a 64-52 edge over the Trojans, although Garden City has won 10 of the last 11 meetings.

The Board of Education of Garden City Public Schools views interscholastic athletics as an integral part of the school district's program and believes that the achievements of the many students and staff involved in athletics are a source of pride for the entire community. The board is delighted when the media covers team and individual accomplishments, and is interested in identifying ways in which special athletics events may be made accessible to those who cannot attend the competitions.