Name: Mike Lugat
Age: 23 Years Old
Official job title: WVU Men’s Club Lacrosse Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Q. How long have you been involved with lacrosse and what do you love about the sport?
A. I have been involved with the sport of lacrosse for fifteen years, since I was 8. I love lacrosse because it combines physicality, strategy, and skill into one sport. I also like the tight knit community lacrosse provides due to the sport being less popular than mainstream sports like football and basketball.
Q. How did you land/decide the position that you have with the lacrosse team?
A. I played Attack for WVU for three seasons prior to landing the job. I had success on the team and was the leading scorer last season. After my eligibility expired after last season, I was asked to stay on as an Offensive Coordinator. I decided I wanted to stay with the program as a coach to share my knowledge of the game with the guys, hoping I could further develop our offense. This year we had one of the most productive offenses WVU has ever had. Also, I came from one of the top high school lacrosse programs in the nation (Loyola Blakefield) and a lot of my friends are playing DI lacrosse, so I have learned from some of the best. I thought that this information would be helpful for further development of our team here at WVU.
Q. What is your favorite thing about working with West Virginia University athletics?
A.My favorite part of working with WVU athletics is traveling and representing the school on the road. Every time we stop at a hotel or restaurant people want to take pictures with us and wish us luck. The team goes down to Charlestown, WV every year to put on a clinic for the local high school and middle school lacrosse players. They love WVU down there and you can really tell they look up to us. It makes you feel good to know you made someone’s day.
Q.Can you tell a story of one of your most cherished moments working within the sport?
A.My favorite memory of coaching so far was April 13 of this year when we beat the #1 team in our conference, Virginia Tech. We won 10-9 and our offense was the best it was all season. I couldn’t have been more proud of my players.
Q.It is understood that you are graduating this semester. What are your plans for after graduation?
A.I am graduating in May. I have a job lined up in an advertising agency in Baltimore, MD after I graduate.
Q.Do you plan to remain involved with lacrosse after you leave the university? If so, how?
A.I definitely plan on staying involved in lacrosse. My dad has coached lacrosse for my youth recreation teams since I started playing. Currently he is coaching my eighth grade brother, Matt, and I plan on coaching with him when I move back to Maryland. We may set up a high school club program in our area in the future. I plan on coaching and staying involved in the sport of lacrosse for a long time.
Q.Do you have any advice for a student that is interested in becoming involved with the team?
A.My advice for somebody that wants to become involved with the team is to be ready to come out and work hard inside and outside of practice all year round. It is a big commitment, but the friendships, comradery, and sense of accomplishment make it all worth it in the end.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVU chapter.