The 2017 season will be the first official season where Bulldog boys lacrosse is an MSHSL-sanctioned team.

 

The team has experienced excellent success the last several years as a club sport under Brandon Kent, but this year the man at the helm is Paul VanVoorhis.

 

“Kent is returning to get the new program started,” said VanVoorhis.  “Coach Kent founded Becker lacrosse several years ago and I’ve learned a great deal from him last year and I am pleased he will be with us again this year.”

 

Joining Kent and VanVoorhis as coaches are Lukas Fox, Ethan Boutin and Nathan Fritsch.

 

VanVoorhis says he started his coaching career at the youth level. He had two boys who played the sport so he taught himself the game by reading and watching training videos.

 

“I coached several years in the youth level and was fortunate enough to be an assistant coach with the Becker High School club team last year,” said VanVoorhis.  “I was never a player. We did not have lacrosse when I was a high school student.  The sport of lacrosse is still fairly new to Minnesota.  However, the sport is growing fast as a result of youth programs starting all across the state.”

 

VanVoorhis is a 21-year veteran of the Minnesota State Patrol and his current rank is lieutenant. He and his family have been citizens of Becker for the last 14 years.

 

VanVoorhis has named three seniors to be his captains this year. They are Zack Olson-Burkman, Cale MacMillan  and Brett Reichle.

 

“Captains of the lacrosse team must posses the makings of a high caliber person,” VanVoorhis said.  “We want them to be student leaders and advocates for their teammates.  We assist them in developing their leadership skills by giving them more responsibility for the team and teaching them how to make decisions that are team based.”

 

Besides Olson-Burkman, MacMillan and Reichle, VanVoorhis has 41 players as part of his varsity and junior varsity program.

 

Since 2017 will be the first season for Becker lacrosse in the MSHSL, they will be playing teams that the previous club team has not competed against.  

 

“There are many excellent lacrosse programs in the area and we look forward to meeting them both on and off the field,” said VanVoorhis. 

 

“Becker Bulldog athletics are based on the positive development of our student athletes and the high school lacrosse program will be no different,” said the head coach.  “My first goal will be the development of the boys on the team.  It will be important to create a positive experience for the student athletes.”  

 

“Secondary is creating a program that meets the high expectations of Athletic Director Dave Niemi.  As newcomers to the Becker High School sports teams we want the lacrosse program to be viewed as a positive opportunity for the students.”

 

VanVoorhis appreciates the support he has received from other coaches at Becker, Niemi, Jesse O’Neill and volunteer parents. He has high hopes and aspirations for the team not just for this year but well beyond.

 

“I have been fortunate to coach the current sophomores from their youth until now,” he said.  “It is an awesome experience to watch them grow and develop into young adults.”    

 

The boys will be playing their home games at Eppard Field or the soccer field. Their first game is April 18 at Rocori and their first home match is April 24 versus Sartell/Sauk Rapids. Game times are at 6:30 p.m.