The DePaul Men’s Lacrosse Club will begin their spring season March 4 against Ferris State University at Diversey Park and will have a full-time head coach after hiring Mike Copher, previously the president of the University of Illinois club lacrosse team.DePaul, who had been led by player-coaches or former players since the club was founded in 2005, posted a notice on the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association website after a disappointing 4-6 record last season.
“We had three inquiries. We believed Coach Michael Copher was our best fit,” said sophomore attacker/midfielder Charlie Witte. Having an on-the-field head coach helps keep everything in order and organized during the games, Witte said. “He picks who plays where, the starters and our game plan. It helps all of us because we are all on the same page on the field.”
Said senior midfielder Ricky Mares of their new leader, “The guy has been nothing but business since he has come around and the team has made some big strides under his leadership.”
After finishing at the bottom of the Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference last season, the club is hoping for a better year. With only two seniors on their roster, Mares and midfielder John Cerney, the squad skews young. With the addition of Copher, the team hopes to be more organized on and off the field.
“Copher has been putting in a lot of time to mold and shape this team,” said Gordon Cacioppo, a sophomore goalie. “Fabio Meza, who is the president [of the club], has been working nonstop to organize and make sure everything is in line with this team.”
Expectations are high within the team, having more home games this season than in previous years. The team will host games at Diversey Park in Chicago and Techny Field in Northbrook, Ill.
“Our expectations are very high this season,” said Jack Glasbrenner, sophomore midfielder. “We have been putting a large responsibility on our players to learn a new system [under Copher] quickly and to execute on the field. Conditionings have been tough and I know this team will be physically and mentally prepared.”
Copher has helped instill the values of teamwork and companionship in the squad. There has been more work off the field for the team, as they become friends and build a common unity and friendship among the players.
“My expectations for this season are the same as they have always been. I think that we can compete with any team we take the field against,” Mares said. “There’s a huge difference between this year and last season and I can’t wait to see how it carries over on the field.