Arizona Wildcats men's lacrosse
The University of Arizona men's lacrosse team is a club sport team nicknamed the Laxcats.
The lacrosse team is a club team, not a varsity sport at Arizona, affectionately known as the “Laxcats”. Its existence, since the mid-sixties, is saturated with a rich tradition of success. In the 60’s, Arizona was a Division I Varsity program, coached by the legendary Carl Runk, an Arizona graduate and football player. In 1998 Carl retired after twenty-eight years at Towson University in Maryland. 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. Also William Wren (#3) was a the leading attackman of his graduating class and became the 2nd highest scorer in the Nation. During that Varsity era, the team rose as high as number 3 in the Nation.
In the early 70s Craig Hassell, a transplanted Long Island lacrosse fanatic, stepped up and kept the tradition alive. The 70s rosters were packed with the types of free-spirited players that typified the era. Predominately from Long Island and Maryland, these free spirits had few cares other than their dedication to the game. 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, who had begun his Arizona career as a defenseman, was named the Head Coach. During Felton's tenure as Head Coach, he coached many notable players. One standout was from San Francisco whom Felton recruited with particular passion. His name was Nathaniel Schmidt. Schmidt, known throughout campus as the "Nate Dogg", was a short but fiery player who led the team to several successful years. His official helmet from the 2001–2002 season now hangs proudly in Nate Dogg's favorite establishment, Dirtbags.
The Laxcats have claimed only one Conference Title, occurring in 1990. In 1997, the Laxcats were ranked Number 1 heading into the National Tournament but were upset early by Brigham Young University in the second round of the tournament. Following the 2001 season Mickey-Miles Felton stepped down with 278 career wins to assume the role of General Manager. Assistant Coach Adam Hopkins, of New York Institute of Technology, was elevated to the top spot as Head Coach. In the 2002 season, Laxcats senior attackmen Jay Spatafora came back from an ACL tear in the 2001 season to lead Arizona to a 16-5 record, going 6–0 in the division and earning a division title. Spatafora led the WCLL in points (127) finishing the season with 59 goals and 68 assists. Following the 2003 season, Hopkins left and his assistant Ken Broschart was moved into the Head Coaching position. Broschart brought in Matt Hunter, and the following year Tim Spruyt as the NYIT pipeline continued. Hopkins, Broschart, and Hunter were all All Americans while at NYIT. Broschart parted ways with the Laxcats at the beginning of the 2007–2008 school year to join the University of Michigan Men's Lacrosse Club. Former assistant coach PJ Rovenelli was promoted to Head Coach for the 2007-2008 season. After a tumultuous season, the University of Arizona men's lacrosse program and Rovenelli parted ways. In July 2008, a new coaching staff was put into place to lead the Arizona Men's Lacrosse Program into the 2008–2009 season.