About Us
Hello
West Michigan Lacrosse
- non-profit organization expanding the sport of lacrosse for all individuals.
- West Michigan Lacrosse is dedicated to teaching the sport of lacrosse and the skills needed to be successful in both lacrosse and in life.
- A multi-faceted coaching approach provides an inviting and fun atmosphere from our clinics, summer sessions, and our tournaments.
- Kids of all ages, skill levels and kids from all areas across West Michigan are welcome. Our coaching philosophy is heavy on skills & drills, with some game play thrown in.
- We want everyone to play, and have opportunities for new players to blossom while learning the game.
- Our advanced players fine tune their play with focused skills work, so they are ready to take the next level.
- Our job is to make the game fun and exciting, while teaching the skills for lacrosse, and teaching your kids how to be good leaders on the field and in the community.
Meet Our Lacrosse Family
We started WMlax originally because we all had daughters in the sport. We saw that there were imited opportunities for young players (especially girls) to pick up the game and learn. We decided to build an all inclusive club that would focus on core fundamentals and a love of the game. We never would have imagined what we would have grown to. We were built on family values and intend to always keep family and community as part of our ethos.
Toren Prawdzik: Director of marketing, public relations, non profit lead
Toren is our guy who makes sure that all of the moving parts are operating and helps us to secure the relationships and funding to keep true to our ethos. Toren has a genuine passion for the community and is always looking for ways to give back.
- Wmlax founding member
- Wmlax board member
- Us lacrosse certified coach
- Head of marketing
- Primary Sponsor (Photo Evo, HS fan stand)
Bruce George: Girls lacrosse coach, equipment specialist, Heritage of the game
Bruce is what lacrosse is meant to be.
Bruce is a founding member and he is our direct connection to the heritage of the game and why we play this amazing sport. Bruce also makes sure that all of our equipment is up to standard and ready to go for all of our coaches. Bruce also helps run our girls part of the program and has spent many years coaching and reffing the game.
- Wmlax founding member
- Wmlax board member
- Women's lacrosse director
- Experienced lacrosse coach (HS, MS, youth)
- MHSAA certified official
- US lacrosse certified
- Member of the Ojibwa tribe
Chris Vogel: Director of lacrosse, coach training, Warpigs coach, registration
Chris played lacrosse from his youth (FHC) all the way though to the collegiate level (NU). Chris has given back to the sport endlessly and has coached youth boys and girls, women's college lacrosse (MSU) and men's high school lacrosse (CP, CC, Wmlax)
His love for the game runs through his veins.
- Wmlax founding member
- Wmlax Board member
- 1990 State champion- player
- 1993 State runner up- player
- 2 time tournament MVP- player
- 2 time all state 1st team MHSL (FHC)-player
- Team Captain 93 FHC- player
- Team Captain 95 Northwood University- player
- 2001 Div 1 WCLA assistant COY- coach
- 2001 Div 1 WCLA final four- coach
- Co- founder CP youth lacrosse
- Director of boys lacrosse WMLAX
- 2023 MHSAA assistant COY-coach
- Head Coach GR Catholic Central
- 2024 MHSLCA all state committee
- 4 time MHSAA regional Championship-coach
- 2 MHSAA final four-coach
- US lacrosse certified
Mat Andrews: lead clinic coach, Warpigs, finance and marketing specialist.
Mat came to us with an amazing love of the game. Mats lacrosse journey began by being part of the founding team of players to start the Rockford lacrosse program. He fell in love with the game and has since accrued 20 years of coaching experience. Mat has devoted himself to growing the sport and making it available to everyone.
- WMlax board member
- 2000 Runner-up State Championship - Player
- 2001 State Championship - Player
- Freshman Team - Head Coach
- 2 years JV Team - Head Coach
- 2 years Varsity Defense Coordinator
- 3 years youth Head Coach
- 5 years youth Elite - Head Coach
- 4 years FOX Lacrosse Fall travel team Offensive Coordinator
- Trained Goalie coach
- GRCC DC
- US lacrosse cerified
Amanda Cummings: Girls clinic and tourney coach, Graphic designer, photographer.
Amanda dove in to the game head first when her oldest daughter decided that she wanted to play the game in 6th grade. Her experience in athletics including soccer, cross country and swimming were what she used to help make connections to the game of lacrosse to quickly become a coach. Amanda has been a strong advocate for the growth and expansion of the girls game in West Michigan.
- WMlax founding member
- 3 years Middle school head coach
- 2 years Middle school assistant coach
- 3 years JV Head coach
- Tournament coach (MS, JV, V)
- MHSAA certified official
- Sponsor WMlax (Indigo Current)
Andi Murtland has been playing lacrosse from 5th grade to current day where she competes for Elmhurst University as a midfielder.
Her passion for this sport comes from the love and support of her life and lacrosse families.
Tom Merkel
Brian Olds