Until its closing in 1970, many South Bend natives cheered on the bears of South Bend Central High, a school that put forward many teams that the city could be proud of, winning 28 sectional, 12 regional, four semi-state, and two state championships in basketball alone. After a long hiatus, another state championship was brought to South Bend in June of 2022 by a team named in their honor; the South Bend Bears Lacrosse Club.

The Bears were founded in 2014 as a youth level team by Dr. Brandon Zabukovic, a well-respected local physician. Two years later, in 2016, the club expanded to include a high school team, playing in the Indiana High School Lacrosse Association (IHSLA), meaning it competes with school sanctioned teams from around the state, as well as other clubs. The team was excluded from competing in the postseason until the 2021-22 campaign due to an agreement reached with the IHSLA regarding player eligibility, but still produced multiple collegiate athletes and one State Player of the Year in this period. 

This past season, the Bears played in their first club state championship, beating Munster High School in a dramatic 7-6 overtime thriller. Junior goalkeeper Saul Zabukovic commented on what he thinks the significance of that achievement is to the team; “We know that we can do it again, and I think that gives us more desire throughout every game and practice, wanting to make everyone else better and ourselves better.” Zabukovic also encourages new athletes to try out lacrosse with the club. “Just show up to a practice and see how it goes, and if you like it, keep playing.” It really is that simple; each season the club sees many players play important roles within months of picking up a stick for the first time. 

In 2020, the Bears started a girls team playing at the junior varsity level. This season they have been promoted to a varsity program, which played its inaugural game this past Friday, March 17th.