Grizzlies, Warriors Get New Coaches
Issue 1
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Lovell Set to Lead Grizzlies
As the state continues to see changes in the lacrosse landscape, the Copper Hills Grizzlies will be under new head coach Shawn Lovell next season. Lovell grew up in Ririe, Idaho, a small town just east of Idaho Falls before moving to Utah to attend the University of Utah more than 20 years ago. Lovell graduated from Utah in 2002 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science.
Lovell began coaching when his son was in 7th grade after former Copper Hills head coach Scott Park asked him to get his coaching card and help on the sidelines.
“I didn't have a background with lacrosse up to that point, since there were either no or limited opportunities in Southeast Idaho growing up,” said Lovell. “I helped as an assistant coach that first season, and when I showed up for spring ball was asked to coach one of our 7/8 grade teams. From there I've kept moving up, coaching Sophomore and JV teams, before being hired to be the head coach of the program at Copper Hills.”
Professionally, Lovell has worked as a security/burglar alarm dealer for the last 20 years in the Salt Lake and Park City areas before changing jobs a few months ago where he now works as a security account manager for Mountain West Distributors in Salt Lake City.
“Lacrosse is such a fun sport to be involved with,” said Lovell. “The overall culture is different than any other I've been a part of. The sport has come a long way in a short amount of time in the state of Utah, and lacrosse will only continue to grow and get stronger.”
TH: Favorite thing about lacrosse?
SL: One of my favorite things about lacrosse is that the size of the player doesn't help, or limit, the effectiveness that player can have on the game. The lacrosse stick acts as an equalizer. In other sports you want large/powerful athletes. But, in lacrosse, a smaller player can be dominant in ways that a larger, more powerful athlete cannot.
TH: What is one thing you would change about the game?
SL: I wouldn't mind seeing a shot clock at the high school level.
TH: How has Copper Hills been in this transition year?
SL: I think the staff and administration at Copper Hills have been great. It's been many years since a new sport has been sanctioned by the UHSAA, so we are all going through a learning process right now. The best part is we have the full support of the administration at Copper Hills and they are excited to have us be a part of varsity athletics at Copper Hills.
The Grizzlies were 11-5 in 2019 and lost to Fremont in the first round of the Class A playoffs. Copper Hills will compete in Region 2 which features Bingham, Herriman, Jordan, Riverton, West, and West Jordan.
Pendergast Takes Charge at Weber
Jeff Pendergast has taken charge at Weber. The Syracuse, New York native has been coaching youth and high school lacrosse for 12 years after playing for BYU where he graduated. Pendergast has also been a referee for 6 years.
Pendergast began coaching in 2005 when he and his brother coached Fremont.
“I changed to Weber and was there from 2006-2010,” said Pendergast. “Ogden youth teams were organized in 2007 and I spent several hours as part of the league board of coaches and had a great time working with incredible skilled and passionate lacrosse advocates.”
Pendergast is a project manager for Regency Excavation and enjoys watching players and teams improve each season.
The Warriors were 5-11 last season and will look to make their mark in the non-sanctioned league in 2020.
Around The Web
I really loved this article from Jamie Munro about his weekend at Lake Placid. There’s a picture in there with Virginia head coach Lars Tiffany you won’t want to miss.
The South Valley Journal weighed in on lacrosse becoming a sanctioned sport.
Westlake, led by Danny Horne, participated in a ‘Run of Honor’ for 9/11. Coach Horne does a great job recreating the scene on the Westlake website.
The 10-man ride from the PLL features a paragraph about how Archers goalie/Utah assistant coach Adam Ghitelman practices what he preaches by diving for backups. (See below for video)
Tweets & Grams
It’s not totally surprising to see these numbers given the information we have received over the last several years regarding growth.
A nice schedule for the Wolverines as they continue to trend upward. Note the addition of Texas & Oklahoma who are the newest members of the RMLC.
Last but not least, BYU also participated in a 9/11 honor activity. The Cougars ran along local first responders and went up 4,452 steps which represents the total number of stairs in the Twin Towers.
Please shoot me a note if you have something you’d like me to cover: tim@timhaslam.com
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— Tim Haslam