Butler girls youth lacrosse program continues growth, one player at a time
By word of mouth, the Butler girls youth lacrosse program has grown.
Through experience, it’s sustaining itself.
“We had very low numbers at the beginning,” said Erik Swanson, coach of the 14U girls team. “We always had to have two teams — U14 would play down and U12 would play up in order to have two teams. We got to the point, finally — I think this is our first year — where we could have different teams for different age groups and different coaches.
“We went from less than 20 kids to 60 girls in four years.”
Players convincing their friends, siblings and peers to try the sport boosted numbers.
“Our 10U team, we have 13 girls,” said Brad Dolhi, coach of the 10U team, which consists of third- and fourth-graders. “Eight of them (were) first-year players this year that basically got recruited by the five returners. That’s how we had to build a team.”
Emmalee McCandless played for the 12U team this season. She decided to try lacrosse when her sister’s team needed one more player.
“My mom walked over and she goes, ‘Hey, I know you’re sporty and all, so would you want to try lacrosse?’” McCandless recalled. “I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll go for it.’ Then I went to practices and I was like, ‘Man, I’m really starting to like this sport.’”
Swanson has been coaching lacrosse for five years. He never played it himself but has found that a lot translates from basketball to lacrosse. With a hoops background of her own, Kendall Adams, an attack on the 13U team, can attest to that.
“Setting screens and knowing how to get to the goal, it’s almost like the same place,” the younger Adams said. “It just feels so natural. With basketball, I feel like I have to really try to focus. With lacrosse, I’m just there having a fun time.”
The enjoyment aspect is what keeps players and coaches coming back.
“The entire girls’ side, regardless of what age you’re on, we’ve all worked very well together — including having some returning players come back to help us with some of the skills,” Dolhi said.
High school varsity players have lent a hand, as well, with clinics relaying the skills they’ve picked up on at their level.
“It’s more of us leading them as the adults, coordinating everything, teaching them the basic skills of teamwork, hard work, respect,” Dolhi explained. “But some of those true skills? The program is doing that internally and that growth is what’s building it.
“It keeps trickling down.”
Alana Collins played girls varsity lacrosse for Butler and enjoyed the fast-paced play on the field and the camaraderie of being part of a team. She now coaches the 12U cast.
“I really enjoyed playing in high school, and I wanted to continue (being around the sport),” Collins said. “They needed coaches. ... These girls have almost become my friends in ways. I enjoy seeing them every single time.”
She brings a keen eye to her instruction, with an ability to spot and slightly adjust technical aspects.
“When you change and tweak one little thing, it can change the whole game for them,” Collins said. “It’s just really cool to see them grow into a player then.”
Adams is one of many players who have decided to focus on lacrosse rather than other sports they’d been playing previously. Of course, that helps with more consistent attendance.
“We kind of dropped all of those expectations to build up the team,” said Swanson, whose daughter, Lily, just graduated from the Golden Tornado high school varsity squad. “’You come in, I know you play two sports in the spring, just try out lacrosse. Fit it in and make it work.’ Until we got those numbers up, then girls were starting to have choices of what they did.
“And they were still choosing lacrosse.”
Goalkeeper Katelyn Hankey of the 14U team is excited to face the challenges the high school level has to offer. She’s still trying to add players.
“I’ve asked quite a few of my friends to play next year,” Hankey said. “I’m hoping that they choose to join.”
McCandless wants to try her hand at midfield. She also eventually wants to follow in the footsteps of those who have helped her.
“One day I want to try and be a coach and pass it down to my little sister or just pass it down to little kids who want to learn how to play,” McCandless said.
Swanson stressed the manageable travel and equipment costs for parents who are looking to get their children involved. He urges any potential players or volunteer coaches to visit butleryouthlacrosse.com to check out how to get involved.
