Face time: Alleyne’s aim is diversity, inclusion, inspiration

Connecticut Hammerheads goalie Kris Alleyne hopes to make the sport more inclusive to Black players. (MLL photos)

Kris Alleyne wants to do what he can to make lacrosse a sport where kids who look like him believe they can grow up and realize the opportunities he’s enjoyed because of it.

The Connecticut Hammerheads goaltender said for a good 10 years he was the only Black player on his team as he grew up about an hour north of Manhattan, across the river from Connecticut, and attended Clarkstown South High School.

He said he had a couple of Black teammates when he was very young playing youth lacrosse, and crossed paths with a few more when he starred in net for Rutgers University, but the years in between were filled with seasons of doing his best to blend in, and turn the occasional deaf ear.