Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes (Where they play ball) was built in 2015 to allow the people of Onondaga Nation and their friends an opportunity to play ball in a first-class facility. The Nation’s sports organization, The Onondaga Athletic Club (OAC) has been in existence since the early 1930s and has supported both men’s and women’s athletics.
The artificial turf facility was designed for lacrosse, volleyball, and indoor soccer and is equipped with portable batting cages for our softball players. Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes is capable to host regulation indoor box lacrosse game, an indoor soccer games or a volley tournament with 4 simultaneous courts with seating for approximately 300 people. Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes is also very versatile as the dasher boards can be removed to create a large field house. The bleachers are also portable to allow for a variety of seating arrangements.
Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes was built in conjunction with the ideals of the Onondaga people. Architects Bennetts and Huesmann and the construction team of Hueber Buer worked with the Onondaga Council to create a building that is friendly to Mother Earth. Most of the building is made of wood to reduce the carbon footprint of the building as well as geothermal heating and cooling systems were set in place in the 4 team locker rooms. Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes is also oriented for optimal solar power collection. The walls of the building can be raised in the warm months to not only allow players and spectators to take in the scenery, but the natural cooling breezes as well.
Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes gained instant notoriety when it was a host site of the 2105 World Indoor Championship held at the Onondaga Nation. Countries from all over the world marveled at our new facility.
Welcome to Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes,
– Onondaga Council of Chiefs
About The Director
Ed Shenandoah has been a lifetime member of the OAC. He has played on our youth and mens lacrosse teams as well as our snowsnake and broomball teams. Ed is an accomplished lacrosse player. Earning multiple honors as a player on the Onondaga Redhawks as well as being a player on the Iroquois Nationals as well as the professional lacrosse team, the Syracuse Smash. Since retiring as a player, Ed has coached the Redhawks to the 2014 Presidents Cup Championship with the Onondaga Redhawks.
Ed and Liz have one son, Gahówa•ñes.