Where Experience Meets Passion

Coaches Who Live It. Coaches Who Love It.

About Us

Contact

WMLAX Leadership & Board Contacts

Director of Operations

Chris Vogel

Email: chris@wmlax.com

Phone: (715) 212-3347

Treasurer

Matt Andrews

Email: mjandrews36@gmail.com

Phone: (616) 216-5040

Secretary

Eric Bredin

Email: ebredin55@gmail.com

Phone: (616) 987-6307

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.

Chris Vogel

Coach Vogel

Director of Lacrosse • Coach Development • Warpigs Coach • Registration Lead

Chris Vogel’s lacrosse journey is legendary—from his early days at FHC, to his college journey at Northwood University, to shaping programs at every level of the sport. He’s coached youth boys and girls, women’s college lacrosse (MSU), and men’s high school lacrosse (CP, CC, WMlax), leaving an undeniable mark on the game.

His passion runs through his veins, and his leadership has been a driving force in building and growing lacrosse in West Michigan.

Career Highlights

  • WMlax Founding Member & Director of Operations
  • 1990 State Champion – Player
  • 1993 State Runner-Up – Player
  • 2× Tournament MVP – Player
  • 2× All-State First Team (MHSL) – Player (FHC)
  • Team Captain – 1993 (FHC) & 1995 (Northwood University)
  • 2001 Div. 1 WCLA Assistant Coach of the Year – Coach
  • 2001 Div. 1 WCLA Final Four – Coach
  • Co-Founder – CP Youth Lacrosse
  • Director of Boys Lacrosse – WMlax
  • 2023 MHSAA Assistant Coach of the Year – Coach
  • Head Coach – GR Catholic Central
  • 2024/2025 MHSLCA All-State Committee
  • 4× MHSAA Regional Champion – Coach
  • 2× MHSAA Final Four – Coach
  • US Lacrosse Certified
  • 2026- Present- Lowell HS coach

Chris brings championship experience, elite coaching knowledge, and an infectious energy to every team he leads—pushing players to reach their highest potential while loving the game.


Mat Andrews

Coach Andrews

Lead Clinic Coach • Warpigs • Finance & Marketing Pro

Mat Andrews brings passion, skill, and 20+ years of coaching experience to WMlax. His lacrosse journey began as a founding player for the Rockford program, where he helped earn a 2000 State Runner-Up finish and a 2001 State Championship. From the first whistle, Mat fell in love with the game—and he’s been growing and elevating lacrosse in West Michigan ever since.

Career Highlights

  • WMlax Treasurer
  • 2000 State Runner-Up – Player
  • 2001 State Champion – Player
  • Freshman Team – Head Coach
  • 2 Years – JV Head Coach
  • 2 Years – Varsity Defense Coordinator
  • 3 Years – Youth Head Coach
  • 5 Years – Youth Elite Head Coach
  • 4 Years – FOX Lacrosse Fall Travel Offensive Coordinator
  • Trained Goalie Coach
  • GRCC Defensive Coordinator
  • Lowell Varstiy Defense Coordinator
  • Girls coach
  • US Lacrosse Certified
  • Mat’s strategic mind, on-field expertise, and unshakable love for the game make him a driving force in the WMlax family—inspiring players to compete with grit, skill, and heart.

Eric Bredin

Coach Bredin

Program builder, 20+ years coaching experience

From Player to Lifelong Coach

In 1989, Coach Eric Bredin hung up the bat and picked up a lacrosse stick…and never looked back. Every spring since, he’s been on a lacrosse field—first as a standout player at Forest Hills, then as a coach who has dedicated his life to giving back to the game he loves.

Lacrosse Purist — Eric believes lacrosse holds all of life’s lessons: teamwork, perseverance, discipline, and respect. His mission is simple—pass that wisdom on to every player he coaches.

Current Roles — Founder & Head Coach of the Lowell HS Varsity Boys Team, WMLAX Coach since 2021, and proud WMLAX Board Member serving as Secretary & Recruiting Coordinator.

Career Highlights

  • State Champion — Forest Hills Central HS (1990)
  • Captain & All-State Midfielder — Forest Hills Central HS (1992)
  • Co-Founded East Lansing HS Lacrosse (1993–1997)
  • Coach, Austin Middle School’s Inaugural Season (1998)
  • Coach, East Grand Rapids HS (1999–2003)
  • Founder & Head Coach, Lowell HS Varsity (2004–2015)
  • Coach, Lowell Youth Lacrosse (2016–2023)
  • Head Coach, Lowell HS Varsity (2024–Present)
  • WMLAX Coach (2021–Present)

Always the Ultimate Team Player — Eric has always been and always will be the guy who puts the team first.

Don Boyer

Coach Boyer

Head Coach | Program Leader | WMLAX Founding Coach

A true pillar of West Michigan lacrosse! From his playing days at Hartland and Aquinas to leading Catholic Central to multiple regional titles and Final Four runs, Don has done it all. One of WMLAX’s first coaches and the man behind the WARPIGS’ first championship, Don is more than just a coach — he’s a builder, mentor, and advocate for the game we love

  • Player Roots: Started his lacrosse journey with the prestigious Hartland program on Michigan’s east side

College Career: 4-year defenseman at Aquinas College

  • Coaching Experience:
  • Head Coach – Comstock Park Varsity & JV
  • Head Coach – Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS (2020–2023)
  • 2× Regional Titles
  • 2× Final Four Appearances
  • Leadership: Advocate for lacrosse growth in West Michigan, serving on multiple committees & leadership groups
  • Coaching Impact: Excels at developing athletes and mentoring coaches, pushing everyone to reach their best
  • WMLAX Legacy: One of the program’s first coaches, guiding the WARPIGS to their first championship in the founding years


Jack Vaness

Coach Vaness

Pure Scoring Threat, True Team Player, Box lacrosse lead

As a player, Jack could score goals at will, but what set him apart was his selflessness—he always found a way to get the ball into a teammate’s stick for the perfect finish.

From Star Player to Impact Coach — Jack’s journey began with 3 years of varsity lacrosse at Caledonia, where he served as captain for both his junior and senior seasons. He also attended the prestigious West town School in Pennsylvania for a year before moving on to play Division III lacrosse at Hope College.

Current Roles — Varsity WMLAX head Coach, HS Offensive Coordinator, Warpigs box lacrosse HC

Career Highlights

  • Division III Lacrosse Player — Hope College
  • Captain — Caledonia Varsity (Junior & Senior Seasons)
  • 2024 All-State Honorable Mention (Attack)
  • 2024 All-Conference (Attack)
  • 250 High School Career Points
  • 2× Offensive MVP — Caledonia
  • MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award
  • O.K. Conference Scholar Athlete Award
  • Caledonia Records:
  • Single Game Points
  • Single Season Goals
  • Single Season Points
  • Single Game Assists
  • Single Season Assists

From the Field to the Sidelines — Jack brings his creativity, vision, and play making ability to every athlete he coaches, building the next generation of offensive threats.

Aidan Donnelly

Coach Donnelly

Player Development | Defensive Coordinator | Goalie Coach | Stick Dr.

Coach Donnelley is and always will eat, sleep and breath lacrosse. His passion for the game is contagious and makes him the model of everything we do "love of the game"

  • Hometown: Caledonia, MI
  • College: 4 years Aquinas College – Led from the X and the wings
  • Experience: 10+ years Player & coach with a focus on defense, goalie training, and all-around field play
  • Specialty: Film analysis & detailed skill development
  • Coaching Style: High-energy, detail-focused, committed to improving athletes at every level
  • Player Favorite: Known for diving into any drill alongside the players, bringing energy, connection, and drawing out each athlete’s love for the game
  • Work Ethic: First to arrive, last to leave — leading by example and inspiring growth in both skill and passion for the sport


Sam Gilmore

Coach Gilmore

OG WARPIGS and lifelong WMLAXer!

From leading our very first championship squad to captaining summer teams, Sam has lived the game at every level. Now, he’s bringing that same fire, knowledge, and love for lacrosse to the sidelines as a coach. Professional, approachable, and always focused on growing the boys’ game, Sam is the kind of coach who makes fundamentals fun, teamwork natural, and player development unstoppable. 

  • Player Legacy: Member of the first WARPIGS Championship Team in club history & team captain of our summer WARPIGS squads
  • High School: Forest Hills Eastern – LSM, 2019 State Runner-Up
  • Program Connection: Lifelong WMLAX athlete, from player to coach
  • Student of the Game: Dedicated to growing his coaching craft while helping athletes develop theirs
  • Coaching Style: Professional, approachable, and focused on fundamentals, teamwork, and player development
  • Commitment: Passionate about helping boys grow on and off the field through hard work and love of the game


Coach Caldwell

Defense/ Goalies/ Player development/ College mentorship

Mitchell Caldwell brings tremendous energy, passion, and lacrosse IQ to every field he steps on. A lifelong student of the game, Mitchell is committed to continually developing his coaching abilities and expanding his knowledge of the sport. His enthusiasm for teaching, attention to detail, and dedication to player development make him an invaluable member of the WMLAX coaching staff.

Playing Experience

  • East Lansing High School (Goalie)
  • Calvin University (Goalie, Defense)

Coaching Experience

  • Rockford High School
  • Kalamazoo College
  • Omnia Lacrosse Club
  • 313 Lacrosse Club


Why I Coach

"I coach because I believe that it is my chance to help young boys and girls realize that their goals and dreams can be made into reality, not just on the field but in the rest of their life as well."

Mitchell believes that lacrosse is about much more than wins and losses. Through positive leadership, skill development, and mentorship, he strives to help athletes build confidence, develop character, and pursue excellence in every area of their lives. His commitment to creating meaningful relationships with players and helping them achieve their goals reflects the core values of WMLAX.

JASON BALLOU

Coach Ballou

Girls Head Coach, Coach development

Jason comes from a lineage of lacrosse greatness, and that legacy continues today with his own children picking up the stick. With professionalism, passion, and a sharp eye for detail, Jason is a perfect fit for our coaching team.

Family Legacy

  • Father & cousin were All-Americans at Irondequoit HS (Rochester, NY)
  • Uncle dedicated 30 years to coaching youth lacrosse in Rochester

Playing Career

  • 2000 – Co-founder of Neuqua Valley HS Lacrosse Club (Naperville, IL); scored the first goal and assist in program history
  • 2x Captain & starting attack, Offensive MVP
  • 2001–2004 – University of Illinois (Champaign, IL), 3 years starting attack

Boys’ Coaching Career

  • 2008–2013 – Freshman Head Coach, Neuqua Valley HS (IL)
  • 2014 – JV Head Coach, Rochester Adams HS (MI)
  • 2015–2016 – Freshman Head Coach, Rockford HS (MI)
  • 2018 – Rockford Boys Youth Lacrosse 5/6 Coach
  • 2021–2022 – RBYL U8 Coach
  • 2023–2024 – RBYL U10 Coach
  • 2025 – RBYL U12 Coach

Girls’ Coaching Career

  • 2024–2026 – Rockford Community Services U10 Coach

Jason’s commitment to the game shines through every practice and every player he works with. He’s not only developing athletes but also carrying forward a family tradition of growing the game with passion and purpose.

Jackson Kozak

Coach Kozak

Amanda Cummings

Coach Cummings

Girls Coach & Creative Powerhouse

Girls Clinics • Tournament Coach • Graphic Designer • Photographer

Amanda didn’t just step into lacrosse—she dove in headfirst the moment her oldest daughter picked up a stick in 6th grade. With a background in soccer, cross country, and swimming, she quickly translated her athletic experience into lacrosse coaching magic. Since then, Amanda has become one of West Michigan’s more passionate voices for growing and elevating the girls’ game.

What Amanda Brings to the Field:

  • WMlax Founding Member
  • 3 Years – Middle School Head Coach
  • 2 Years – Middle School Assistant Coach
  • 3 Years – JV Head Coach
  • Tournament Coach (MS, JV, Varsity)
  • MHSAA Certified Official
  • WMlax Sponsor – Indigo Current

Amanda’s coaching style blends skill, energy, and creativity—both on the field and behind the scenes. Whether she’s leading a clinic, calling plays in a tournament, or capturing game-day moments through her lens, Amanda keeps the game exciting and the players inspired.



Coach Glinsky

Defense/ Coach mentor/ Leadership deveopment

Rich Glinsky is a lifelong advocate for the game of lacrosse whose impact extends far beyond the field. As both a coach and a father, Coach Glinsky brings a unique perspective to player development, understanding the importance of balancing athletic growth with personal growth. With more than 30 years of experience as a player and coach, he has dedicated himself to building programs, mentoring athletes, and growing the game throughout West Michigan.

Known for his old-school, no-nonsense approach, Coach Glinsky believes success is built on hard work, strong fundamentals, lacrosse IQ, accountability, and teamwork. His coaching philosophy centers on developing complete players who understand that effort, preparation, and character are just as important as talent. Whether coaching summer club teams or supporting community and school-based programs, Coach Glinsky has consistently invested his time and energy into helping young athletes succeed.

While often working behind the scenes, Coach Glinsky has played a significant role in strengthening lacrosse opportunities throughout West Michigan and continues to be a valued member of the WMLAX coaching staff.

Playing Experience

  • Four-year Varsity Lacrosse Player, Northwood University (1997–2000)
  • Northwood University Club Lacrosse (2001)

Coaching Experience

  • Co-Founder and Coach, Reeths-Puffer Varsity Lacrosse Program (2011–2014)
  • Coach, Inaugural Mona Shores Varsity Lacrosse Season (2018)
  • Assistant Coach, Southside Lacrosse (2022–2024)
  • Assistant Coach, Patriots Summer Tournament Team (U12/U14) (2023–2024)
  • Assistant Coach, Twstd Stix U14 Summer Team (2025)


Andi Murtland

Coach Murtland


Girls Lacrosse Coach • Collegiate Midfielder • Lifelong Player

Andi’s lacrosse journey began in 5th grade, and she’s been making plays ever since. Today, she brings her skill, speed, and competitive spirit to Elmhurst University, where she dominates the midfield.

Her passion for the game is fueled by the unwavering love and support of her family—both on and off the field. From youth leagues to the college stage, Andi embodies the dedication and heart that make lacrosse more than just a sport.

🏆 Career Highlights

  • 🎓 Midfielder – Elmhurst University Women’s Lacrosse
  • 🥍 Playing experience from youth to college level
  • 💙 Dedicated to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of players


Toren Prawdzik

Coach Prawdzik

Club president • Public Relations Lead • Non-Profit Champion

Toren is the engine that keeps WMlax running at full speed.

As a founding member of WMlax, Toren helps to make sure our program clicks—from building strong community relationships to securing the sponsorship's and funding that keep our mission alive. His work behind the scenes fuels everything we do on the field.

With a genuine passion for the community, Toren is always looking for ways to give back—whether through grassroots outreach, player opportunities, or growing the game for future generations.

🏆 Career Highlights

  • 🏛️ WMlax Founding Member & President
  • 📣 Marketing & Public Relations – WMlax
  • 🤝 Head of Sponsorship's (Photo Evo, HS Fan Stand)
  • ✅ US Lacrosse Certified Coach

Toren isn’t just a leader—he’s the connector, the strategist, and the voice that carries WMlax into the future.

Bruce George

Coach George


Lacrosse Coach • Equipment Specialist • Keeper of the Game’s Heritage

Bruce George is what lacrosse is meant to be.

As a founding member of WMlax, Bruce is our living link to the sport’s roots—carrying forward the history, values, and traditions that make lacrosse more than just a game. A proud member of the Ojibwa tribe, Bruce embodies the heritage of lacrosse as the Creator’s Game and shares that passion with every player he coaches.

When he’s not leading our girls’ lacrosse program, Bruce is making sure every stick, helmet, and piece of gear is game-ready for our coaches and athletes. With decades of experience as both a coach and referee, Bruce has guided players at every level while keeping the spirit of the game alive.

🏆 Career Highlights

  • 🏛️ WMlax Founding Member
  • 🥍 Experienced Lacrosse Coach (HS, MS, Youth)
  • 📋 MHSAA Certified Official
  • ✅ US Lacrosse Certified
  • 🪶 Proud Member of the Ojibwa Tribe

Bruce doesn’t just coach lacrosse—he protects its legacy, elevates its standards, and inspires the next generation to play with honor.

Weston Godbold

Coach Godbold


A midfield powerhouse with 13 years of lacrosse experience, Weston is making his mark at Hope College as a sophomore midfielder and a key contributor to the 2025 MIAA Regular Season Conference Championship team.

Weston's lacrosse journey started long before college — at Lowell High School, Weston was a 4-year varsity starter, 2x Team Captain (2023 & 2024), and collected an impressive list of accolades:

🏆 2024 All-Conference First Team

🏆 2024 All-State Third Team

🏆 2023 All-Conference Honorable Mention

🏆 2023 All-Region

🎓 2024 Scholar Athlete

🎓 2023 & 2024 Academic All-State

Team success followed Weston everywhere — from a 2020 Conference Championship, to the 2023 Regional Title, and a Division 2 Final Four appearance.

Off the field, Weston is as much a leader as he is between the lines

  • Personal lacrosse trainer (2023–2025)
  • 14u WMLax Warpigs Coach (2025), mentoring and inspiring the next generation of players.

Tom Merkel

Coach Merkel


Tom grew up in the cradle of lacrosse — the Finger Lakes of Western New York — where backyard lax battles went head-to-head with neighborhood baseball games. He has roots in the sport, with high school classmates now coaching for the Denver Outlaws and reffing in the ACC.

Lacrosse runs in the family — his two younger brothers played at Geneseo — and when Tom’s two sons picked up sticks, his coaching journey began. Starting as a volunteer, Tom has spent 7 years coaching for Graeceac and WMLAX.

🌬️Tom is a cool breeze on a hot day, Tom is a coach’s favorite to work with. He’s always pulling new players and future coaches into the game, sharing the joy of lacrosse everywhere he goes.

Tom says he draws his energy from the spirit of the players, coaches, and parents who support the growth of our game. He truly embodies what WMLAX stands for — and we hope he stays with our lacrosse family for as long as the 🌅 sun rises and sets 🌇.

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