Washington Township HS boys lacrosse begins 20th season
SEWELL, N.J. — Considered a non-traditional sport by many, lacrosse is anything but an afterthought for athletes and coaches at Washington Township High School. The boys’ program was established in 2002, which means the mid-April season opener kicked off its milestone 20th season. Passion not only helped the program become what it is today, but also paved the way for similar programs to be established at nearby schools in South Jersey.
Several current and former Minutemen grew their love for the sport through Washington Township鈥檚 youth program, which head coach Josh Hanlon credits for helping the program develop an increasing number of WTHS-turned collegiate athletes over the years. One of the team鈥檚 dozen seniors this year has already committed to Gwynedd Mercy University.
鈥淥ne of my goals is to have a strong connection to the youth program,鈥� Hanlon said. 鈥淚 moved to Washington Township about seven years ago, and right away wanted to get involved by helping with youth lacrosse. A great part about coaching is seeing your town鈥檚 players grow up and take part in the high school program.鈥�
Courtesy: Matthew Rappa
Returning to the Field
The Minutemen are excited to return to action, given their 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hanlon considers the team鈥檚 2019 Gloucester County Cup victory as his most memorable game since being named WTHS鈥� fourth-ever Boys’ Lacrosse head coach in December 2016.
鈥淲e scored the go-ahead goal with six seconds left to win the cup for the first time since 2011,鈥� Hanlon said. 鈥淣ow in my fifth year coaching at WTHS, my focus is on continuing to build traditions and working with the local lacrosse community.鈥�
While the Boys’ Lacrosse team has high hopes for the 2021 season, it tries to avoid setting long-term goals. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to be defined by anything quantitative,鈥� Hanlon said. 鈥淚nstead, we want our goals to be things that can be observed rather than measured. A win is a win and a loss is a loss at the end of the day.鈥�
Focusing on the 鈥楴ext Goal鈥�
Whenever a loss does take place, the team takes pride in achieving the 鈥渘ext goal鈥� to bounce back 鈥� on and off the field. 鈥淚t could be getting to class on time and completing homework. Then, on the field, making the next save, pass, or shot,鈥� Hanlon said. 鈥淎ll these things contribute to our 鈥榥ext goal.鈥欌��
Organization and detailed practice plans will be contributing factors for what the team hopes to be a successful year. 鈥淲e have a positive outlook but I always tell the guys that the way things are now will look much different going into the final game of the season,鈥� said Hanlon.
A unique perspective on leadership is another driving force for the Minutemen, as several players recently completed a workshop that taught what being a leader is all about. 鈥淲e often name 鈥榗aptains,鈥� but never teach how to lead,鈥� Hanlon said. 鈥淲e are trying to create a new culture where captains are not the only leaders. Anyone can lead and there should be no correlation to how athletically gifted you are.鈥�
Courtesy: Matthew Rappa Taking in Every Opportunity
This season marks Hanlon’s 12th in a coaching role, having previously served on the staffs at Neshaminy High School (Langhorne, PA) and Pennsbury High School (Fairless Hills, PA). The Technology Integration Specialist and Newtown, Pennsylvania, native was named Washington Township鈥檚 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year for his efforts to successfully transition WTHS from in-person to virtual learning.
Hanlon is a 2004 alumnus of McDaniel College 鈥� a liberal arts college in Westminster, Maryland 鈥� where he was a two-time All-American defenseman and three-time First Team All-Centennial Conference selection. A 2016 inductee of the college鈥檚 Sports Hall of Fame, Hanlon was named to their Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary team two years later.
While being a star athlete came naturally for Hanlon, he continues to take steps to better himself as a coach. Fresh out of college and during his first coaching job, he quickly learned the importance of being organized and a 鈥渟tudent of the game鈥� from Dean Curtis, a fellow Pennsbury High School lacrosse coach.
鈥淚 still stay in touch with Dean for ideas on how to improve,鈥� Hanlon said. 鈥淭he hardest part coaching is there are so many things out of your control. It is easy to say you need to do 鈥榅YZ,鈥� but it鈥檚 important to see things from different perspectives. I have been through so much in my adult life that has shaped me. These kids are just starting that journey.鈥�
As such, Hanlon has one wish for his players. 鈥淭wenty or thirty years from now, I want them to reflect and be proud to say they were Minutemen,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y proudest coaching moment is every time an alumnus shows up at practice. Them coming back shows they have great memories from high school. That is all any coach could ask for.鈥�
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.