Lacrosse America

Boys Coaching Staff

Program Directors

Black, Mike - Program Director - Illinois
Hometown: St. Charles, Illinois

Two year captain, and graduate of St. Charles High School. Two year captain, three time member of UMLL All-Tournament team, USLIA All-American and 1st Team All-Conference, Minnesota State University.
Brooker, Amanda - Program Director - Wisconsin
Hometown: Camillus, New York

Amanda Brooker has been the coach of the Bay Port High School boy's lacrosse team since 2000. She and her husband Joe established and grew lacrosse in Green Bay, starting with an indoor high school program, and turned the business over to Lacrosse America because of the quality of the Lacrosse America program. Previous to moving to Green Bay, Coach Brooker helped with the first high school boys lacrosse team in Minnesota 13 years ago.

A graduate of West Genesee High School in Camillus, NY, Coach Brooker was a team manager/statistician for the boys lacrosse team under Coaches Kevin Donahue, Tom Donahue, and Mike Messere; and was one of the founding members of the girls lacrosse team. She went on to manage the mens lacrosse team at the University of Maryland - College Park for four years under Coaches Dick Edell and Dave Slafkosky.

Gagel, Zach - Program Director - Illinois
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Started playing lacrosse at Moeller High School in Cincinnati, OH and continued playing career at Ohio Wesleyan University. Was a 4-time 1st team NCAC selection including Rookie of the Year as a freshman and Player of the year as a senior. Played in the national semifinals twice, first round once, and the quarterfinals once in the NCAA tournament. All time leading long stick scorer at OWU with 8 goals and 12 assists.

After college playing career continued at OWU as the assistant coach for 6 seasone before joining Lacrosse America.

Continued playing career in 2001 with the Rochester Rattlers of the MLL for one season and Columbus Landsharks of the NLL for two seasons. Currently playing for the Chicago Machine.
Green, Chris - Program Director - Illinois
Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey

Chris Green is in his fourth year running Lacrosse America programs in Wisconsin. His first two years were spent being mentored by Phil Ryan. Chris played his high school lacrosse at the Hun School of Princeton in Princeton, New Jersey. Then played college lacrosse at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida for 3 1/2 years. Since then, he
cofounded the Neenah high school lacrosse program and is now in his sixth year as the assistant coach there.
Hoppe, Gary - Program Director - Illinois
Hometown: Libertyville, Illinois

Illinois All-Star. Former JV coach for the Libertyville Wildcats. Former captain, president, and head coach of the Illinois State University Mens Lacrosse Club. USLIA 1st team All-Conference and All-American.
Levinberg, Ken - General Manager/CTO
Hometown: Wilmette, Illinois

Started playing lacrosse at New Trier High School. In college he founded the Illinois State Lacrosse Team in 1987. He has been the JV coach for Glenbrook North & Highland Park High Schools. In 1999 & 2000 he coached Team Illinois which had winning tournament records at the Vail tournament. Before coaching he was a referee for high school and college club teams. In 1994, was the Head GLLOA assigning referee.

He is currently the Vice President of the Western Division of the Midwest Club Lacrosse Conference which is a league for post-collegiate players.
Shea, Pat - Program Director - Wisconsin
Shirley, Lyle - Program Director - Illinois
Hometown: New Jersey

Member of the 2006 NLL Chicago Machine. Member of the MLL Detriot Turbos from 1989-1994, and named assistant captain from 1992-1994. Current member of the 2005 post-collegiate midwest champion (MCLC) Chicago Lacrosse Club.
Coaches
Culver, Mike - Illinois
Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ

Mike currently Plays for the Chicago Machine and is the assistant general manager. First defensive player selected in the 2006 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft; Led the University of Virginia to the 2006 National Championship title; Named 2005 NCAA Defensive player of the year; First team All-American; Preseason second-team All-American by Facc-Off Yearbook; Named to the ACC Honor Roll for academic achievement and athletic participation; Captian of the US 19-and-under National Team that won the World Championship in 2003.

In 2005 Mike took over as the team's stopper and had a tremendous year, earning Third team All-American honors; One of only two defensemen named All-ACC.
Dubsky, David
Hometown: Geneva, IL

8 years of Managing and Coaching experience for local youth athletics including travel programs. Highly supportive in the increasing popularity of the sport of lacrosse.
Edell, Joe - Illinois
Home Town: Croton on Hudson, NY

College: Michigan State University

Playing Experience: Played lacrosse in HS at Croton Harmon HS. Played Div 1 lacrosse at Michigan State University 1988-1992. Played 4 years club lacrosse for Sound Shore Lacrosse Club in NY. Played 8 years club lacrosse for Chicago Lacrosse Club in IL.

Coaching Experience: Coached and various summer youth camps, coached 2 seasons youth indoor box lacrosse in Apple Valley MN.
Fuson, Paul - Wheaton, Illinois

Paul graduated from the University of Illinois ( ' 79 ) Urbana,Champaign where he played intramural soccer and club rugby. Paul coached youth soccer while living in New Jersey and has been a team manager with the Chicago Fire Junior soccer club.

This is Paul's first experience coaching lacrosse. Paul became interested in the game when his 5th grader, Parker, attended a Lacrosse America camp in the 3rd grade and played up with the 5/6th grade team last year. As an assistant coach, Paul's goals are to keep practices interesting and challenging for 20 boys, and to learn more about the game in the process.
Green, Chris - Wisconsin
Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey

Chris Green is in his fourth year running Lacrosse America programs in Wisconsin. His first two years were spent being mentored by Phil Ryan. Chris played his high school lacrosse at the Hun School of Princeton in Princeton, New Jersey. Then played college lacrosse at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida for 3 1/2 years. Since then, he
cofounded the Neenah high school lacrosse program and is now in his sixth year as the assistant coach there.
Lamparelli, Vinny - Illinois

High school:
• Founded the Lacrosse team at The Chapel Hill School in Waltham MA my freshman year (1979).
• Voted MVP and Captain all four years.
• Led league in scoring all four years.
• Started as midfield for Bridgeton Academy, Maine State Champions 1983.
College:
• Played for two years at Boston College as a starting Midfielder.
Coaching experience:
• Have coached several youth soccer teams over the past 10 years.
• Since moving to Naperville in 2004, have coached competitive youth travel soccer.
• U8 boys team won the league championship, as well as placing first in a tournament.
• U10 boys team won the spring league undefeated. Won two tournaments.
• Licensed soccer coach with IYSL/USSF
Larek, Steve - Lemont, IL

Coaching:
Fourth year coaching youth lacrosse. Spent two years with Orland Park Chiefs Lacrosse before launching the lacrosse program in Lemont. Previously spent four years coaching youth football, co-founder of the Lemont Football League. Formerly coached boys baseball as well as girls softball.

Personal bacground:
Married , father of four.

Professional background:
Chief Financial Officer, Home Run Inn Group, Woodridge, IL.
Graduate of Northwestern University (GO 'CATS!) and DePaul University
CPA
Member Illinois CPA Society.
Board of Directors, Illinois Restaurant Association Risk Management Association, Chairman, Finance Committee
Leary, Rick - Illinois

Home town: Latham, NY
Rick is in his third season as a volunteer coach for the Oak Park-River Forest teams. He started playing lacrosse at Shaker High School in Latham, NY, where he was a defenseman, captain and MVP in his senior year. He played four years of Division One lacrosse at Dartmouth College. He is thrilled to pass on his love of the game to these young players!
Mazurek, Hank - Illinois
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois

Hank began his coaching career in 1998 with the Wheatland Athletic Association Baseball/Softball program. He coached his three daughters thru 2002 in the program and in 2003 began coaching with the Naperville Diamonds Softball organization with a 10U girls softball travel team and later a 12U team up until 2006. Hank then coached in the Naperville Little League association with his oldest son in 2006 and both his sons in 2007. Hank also started coaching in the St. Raphael football program last year and with 10 years of coaching junior athletics experience is looking forward to working with Lacrosse America in promoting the sport in the western suburbs.
McGinnis, Brian - Illinois
Hometown: Naperville, IL

Brian was 4 year player in high school and 3 year captain in Mendham, NJ. Brian played 4 years for the University of Dayton lacrosse club. Brian has coached lacrosse for 15 years and has coached ages from 8 years old up to high school. This is Brian’s second year coaching with Lacrosse America he has coached in both the bantam and junior divisions.
Morgan, George - Illinois

George played high school lacrosse at livingston high in New Jersey. He was a founding member for the Utah State University lacrosse club. While in Utah he also coached in the very first youth lacrosse league along with being a founding coach. He continues to return every fall to participate in the annual alumni lacrosse game at USU, where most alumni are amazed that a 50 year old guy would fly all the way from Chicago just to play in a lacrosse match,and show up at his playing weight in 1975
Ryan, Andrew - Wheaton, Ilinois

Andrew is currently a sophomore at the University of Illinois where he is studying Computer Engineering.

While in high school at Wheaton Warrenville South, Andrew played attack on the lacrosse club for 3yrs.Andrew is now in his 2nd year of coaching for Wheaton Youth Lacrosse (5/6th grade)
Ryan, John - Wheaton, Ilinois

John graduated from the University of Illinois ( ' 69) Urbana,Champaign where he played 3 yrs. of intramural volleyball.John has continued to play competitive league volleyball for the past 38 years and is currently playing in the Willow Creek Community Church League( Wheaton Branch).Over the years he has refereed and served as team captain on numerous championship teams.

John assisted the Wheaton Warrenville South High School Frosh/Soph and JuniorVarsity lacrosse coaches from 2004 - 2006 when his son Andrew played attack for the Tigers. John is now in his 2nd year of head coaching for Wheaton Youth Lacrosse (5/6th grade). His son Cameron is his team's goalie.
Samaritano, Michael - Illinois

Played lacrosse at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, NY. 3 year Varsity club team member at midfield. Team Captain and leading scorer senior year at Shenendehowa. Named to All-Capital District Team senior year. Four year Varsity player at D-III United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) as midfielder. Played two years of club lacrosse with Cincinnati Lacrosse Club and three years with Eastern Washington Lacrosse Club.

Currently Head Coach and League Liasion for Wheaton's Youth program through Lacrosse America (Junior A coach for 2008), Member of Wheaton Warrenville South Boys Lacrosse Board (Youth Program link for Wheaton North also) and active in USMMA (Kings Point) mens lacrosse recruiting.

Tillett, Doug - Illinois

Coach Tillett is in his third year coaching the Freshman Team in the Benet High School Lacrosse Program. He grew up in Maryland and played at Towson Middle School and Dulaney High School outside Baltimore . After graduating from Syracuse University (BS, '74) and the University of Pennsylvania (MGA, '87) he played for the Harrisburg Lacrosse club and the Washington, DC Lacrosse Club in the Mid-Atlantic area. Over the past 30 years he has coached in youth and college-level programs in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He moved to Illinois more than six years ago where he began coaching in the Lacrosse America Program.
Vanata, Mark - Illinois

Hometown: Midland Park, New Jersey
Mark Vanata played college lacrosse at Richard Stockton State college in New Jersey. Mark played midfield and served as team captain in his senior year. After graduation in 1985 and moving to Michigan he continued to play lacrosse with the Detroit - Windsor club for 3 years.
Vogg, Scott - Illinois

Started playing lacrosse as a member of the University of Iowa Lacrosse club in 1983. Played midfield for 4 years and was captain my junior and senior year. Joined Windy City Lacrosse Club in 1987 and played 3 years as a midfielder before joining Indiana University Lacrosse Club during my master’s degree education 1991-1992. Re-joined Windy City for another year in 1992.
Wilson, Bruce – Wheaton, Illinois
Hometown: Towson, Maryland

Bruce has played lacrosse since 1974 when he began playing as a nine year old on a team coached by Lacrosse Hall of Famer, Bill Morrill. He has loved the game ever since. He played midfield and attack for Towson High School’s state championship team in Maryland and crease attack for four years at Wheaton College in Illinois. This is Bruce’s second year coaching youth lacrosse in Wheaton.