About the Lancers

About the Program

Lancer Lacrosse aspires to deliver a culture of Brotherhood, Service and Competition to all players.

Lancer Lacrosse was founded in 2002. We are a not for profit 501c3 organization whose mission is to provide competitive High School Lacrosse for the young men of Shawnee Mission East and other young men who live within the Shawnee Mission School District. The Program is supported by player fees, donations and fundraising. Athletes in the Program are required to perform 5 hours of Community Service each year. The club is governed by a Board of Directors composed of volunteer parents. The Lancers play in the LAKC League (Lacrosse Association of Kansas City). The League brings local KC Metro area programs together to compete for the LAKC trophy. We play locally and travel once or twice a season to play Lacrosse Programs across the Midwest. We welcome beginner and experienced players.

The Man in the Arena

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

-Theodore Roosevelt

History of the Program

7 Consecutive LAKC Championship Appearances

LAKC Champs: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2013, 2012; KS State Champs: 2011

Testimonials

All I can say is Lancer Lacrosse is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. We truly are a family, and we are all in the ride or die mindset with each other. This is one of the best teams, if not the best teams, to come out of our program, if not all of Kansas City.

We love the sport, and we will always find a way to scrap, dig deep and win. This is an extremely unfortunate circumstance, but I know that the program will find a way to prevail. We are all here for you guys, and I hope that this program will continue to dominate the league and leave an amazing legacy for us. I know you boys will do amazing things.

Never take anything for granted and put in the work while you can because you deserve the best. Lancer Lacrosse will be one of the best things that will happen to you, and I can tell you winning a championship is the best feeling in the world. Make the most of life and this amazing program you have an opportunity to play for.

Thank you for an incredible journey. The relationships I have made will last forever. To coach Garrett, Leff, Doc, Boehm, and others, thank you for helping me become a better person first and a better lacrosse player second. To my teammates, I will never forget the memories that were made together. Thank you for the best 4 years of my life. To this years team, I'm so proud of our accomplishments, no matter how small, and the trust that we built. It was a pleasure to lead you guys. I will never forget this program and what it has taught me. Thank you again. #9 out.

My 4 years being a Lancer and playing on the team were an eventful time in my life. Some of my highest highs & lowest lows, but everything made me a better person. It also helped me to get through a lot & create friendships. We had several coaches in my time. When I started as a Freshman the program lacked ambition & direction, but with hard work from everyone involved by the end of my time as a Lancer the program had won 2 titles, including the first LAKC title. It is so amazing to see the progress, stability, & dominance at which the program exists today. The keyword for us back then was FAMILY, us together as a team working towards a common goal. Pushing each other, making each other better, and having fun playing the sport of lacrosse. My senior season was truly something special and I know that I will never forget it. I can't thank everyone enough for that experience.

My time with the Lancer lacrosse program made an indelible impact on my career as a lacrosse player, and I think fondly of my four years on the team now that I’ve hung up the cleats. Our graduating class of 2011 was part of the program in its beginning years, and I’m proud to say our group played a large role in many of Lancer lacrosse’s earliest achievements. The state championship we won in 2011 was the culmination of years of hard work, earned in part from experiencing many losses and setbacks along the way, and paved the way for many more victories and championships. I will always be grateful for my teammates, coaches, and friends and family members of the team for their support and encouragement during those years. Without them, the program would not have the history it boasts today, or many of the alumni who competed and still compete at the collegiate levels.

Varsity

Patrick Schmitt – Head Coach
Cole Wright – Offensive Coordinator
Connor Buckley- Defensive Coordinator
Tripp Mohr – Assistant Coach

Junior Varsity

Darby Wooldridge – Head Coach
Trevor Svoboda – Offensive Assistant
Sam Lindahl – Assistant Coach

Board Members

Chad Gooley – President/Treasurer
Christine Meutan – Secretary
Joe Watts – VP Fundraising
Tom Pollock – Fundraising/Sponsorships
Jason Schnurr – VP Operations
Tom Hamilton – Program Development
Lindsay Sowden – VP Volunteers
John Beil – VP Service and Special Projects
Bill Kimmell – VP Program Development

Alumni

The Lancer Lacrosse Program has seen many players continue to pursue the sport after High School. Alumni have held roster spots on Division I, II and III programs, as well as playing on club teams at Kansas, K-State, Mizzou, Arizona State and Indiana, among others.