Hamilton’s Mohawk College introduces lacrosse program, recruits all-star athlete as coach

Former National Lacrosse League star Andy Secore of Hamilton will be leading Mohawk College’s new lacrosse team and program.

Mohawk has introduced the sport as the 10th one in the Mountaineers, its college athletics program, hiring Secore as head coach and consultant.

“We are excited to be involved in highlighting lacrosse – a game that comes to us from the Haudenosaunee community,” said Amanda White, acting director and special adviser at the Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge and Learning, in a statement. “Called ‘The Creators Game,’ lacrosse has been used as ceremony and medicine for countless generations (and) has become a game which many come together to enjoy.”

Along with creating a new competitive team in the Mountaineers program, the college wrote in a press release that it will “offer additional opportunities for Mohawk College students to learn and grow in their understanding of Indigenous culture and traditions.”

Within three years, the college said it hopes to develop the lacrosse program into a competitive high-performance Mountaineers team.

For the first year, Secore plans to create drop-in lacrosse activities to entice students to join and establish relationships with local lacrosse organizations.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the inaugural lacrosse program at Mohawk College,” said Secore, who is of Iroquois descent. He represented the Iroquois Nationals at the 2011 World Lacrosse Championship in Czech Republic where they earned a silver medal. “Lacrosse will not only enhance Mountaineers Athletics, but I feel the sport will be a value add for the entire college community. It will provide Mohawk students a different option for a great education and an opportunity to play the sport they love.”

Secore, who made his National Lacrosse League debut in 2006 with the Arizona Sting, had a breakout season in 2008 with the Minnesota Swarm. He scored a career-high 28 goals and 76 points with the team. He was named to the NLL All-Star Game but did not participate due to an injury. He spent three more seasons with the Edmonton Rush.

After retiring as a player, Secore joined the Rochester Knighthawks staff as an assistant coach during their NLL Cup championship three-peat between 2012 and 2014. Secore went on to become assistant coach for the Six Nations Arrows in 2014, helping the team win the Junior A Minto Cup.

“Andy’s lacrosse experience and connections within the Hamilton community truly make him the perfect fit with the Mountaineers to help launch and grow our lacrosse program,” said Matthew Ferreira, director of athletics and recreation. “The goal under Andy’s guidance is to make Mohawk a destination for future lacrosse players looking to continue their education at the post-secondary level.”

The Mountaineers’ teams include men’s and women’s teams for soccer, volleyball and basketball as well as women’s softball, cross country and curling. All teams compete provincially to win a berth in the national championship tournaments.