Team History

The University of Arizona Men's Lacrosse Club Team, affectionately known as the "Laxcats", is located in Tucson, Arizona. Its existence, since the sixties, is saturated with a rich tradition of success. In the Fall of 1960, three former lacrosse players, Jay Lehr, Chuck McChesney and newly transplanted Tucsonean Don Golos referred to as The "Original Three" in Jeffrey Pfeifer's book on the University of Arizona Lacrosse, History, Tradition and Pride published by Visualax Solutions LLC got the ball rolling. In the Fall of 1961, with the efforts of the "Original Three", Arizona became only the second club, along with the Air Force Academy, to become sanctioned collegiate program in the West.

In the mid 60's, Arizona became an NCAA Division I program, under the leadership of Carl Runk, an Arizona football graduate. Carl would later move back to Maryland retiring in 1998 after twenty-eight years at Towson University. The most well known player to graduate from that era was a skinny, feisty goalie named Jerry Rivers. You may know him today as mega TV personality, Geraldo Rivera. During their NCAA tenure, Arizona reached as high as 3rd in the national rankings.

Don Golos's efforts held the program firm for nearly 10 years; however in the early 70's the program began to slip again. In order to maintain the club's tradition, Craig Hassell, a transplanted Long Island lacrosse fanatic, stepped in. The 70's rosters were packed with these types of free spirited players that typified the era. Predominately from Long Island and Maryland, these players had little cares other than their dedication to the game. By the mid-70's enthusiasm began to diminish once more.

In 1976 the timing was right for yet another transplanted Long Islander to assume the responsibility for the stability of the University of Arizona Program. Mickey-Miles Felton, at the age of 30, had begun his Arizona career as a defenseman. By midseason he assumed the role of general manager and in 1978 took over as Head Coach.

In his early years as Head Coach, Felton felt the struggles for credibility and home games. Overcoming geographical barriers was a major obstacle. He began creating an environment appealing to teams in California, Utah and Nevada. This environment later developed into the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL), which was co-founded by Arizona's Coach Felton. Felton served as both President and Vice President of the WCLL for several terms.

During the period of time from 1980 to 2008, the WCLL remained the largest and most respected conference in the United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates (USLIA) in the USA. In 1997, under the banner of United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association's (USILA) the Associates finally got their National Championship. As one of its founders, Felton held the office of Executive Vice President for several terms.  That year Arizona was one of two teams representing the WCLL invited to the "Final Four" in St. Louis, MO.  Arizona headed into the Tournament ranked # 1. 

As time went on, the WCLL grew too large to administer and in 2009 split into 2 factors geographically by North and South. The Laxcats along with other Programs in the South departed the WCLL and became members of the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC).

During Felton's 26 year coaching tenure, he compiled 278 career wins, a WCLL Championship, 25 playoff appearances, and 5x WCLL "Coach of the Year" Awards. In 2001 Coach Felton stepped down to help the growth of Lacrosse with Tucson's youth while assumming the roll of Director of Lacrosse Operations for The Laxcats. Assistant Coach Adam Hopkins, a 3x All-American from New York Institute of Technology, was elevated to Head Coach.

During Hopkins two-year tenure as Head Coach, the Laxcats were 25-12 and made it to the National Quarterfinals in 2002, losing an O.T. game to the eventual National Champions, Sonoma St. That year Coach Hopkins had 6 All Conference players, and Three All-Americans. The following year he had 7 All Conference players and 1 All American. 

In 2003 season, Hopkins stepped down and former 2x All-American NYIT teammate and assistant Ken Broschart was promoted. Throughout his five-year tenure at Arizona, four of which were spent as Head Coach, Broschart and the Team achieved considerable success. Under his command, Arizona compiled a record of 57 wins and 24 losses, including four straight appearances in what is now called the MCLA National Tournament. He was also named the 2004 WCLL Coach of the Year, and had the opportunity to coach five MCLA All-Americans. In 2007, Broschart stepped down and Defensive Coordinator, PJ Rovinelli was promoted to Head Coach. Coach Rovinelli has since moved on and the Laxcats hired a new coaching staff for 2008-09 which didn't live up to expectations. 

For the 2009-2010 season the team has handed the reigns back to the former long-time Head Coach and founder of the Laxcats, Mickey-Miles Felton to lead the team. "Laxcat Fever" is back in the Old Pueblo as Felton is determined to return the Tradition and reputation back where it belongs!