For the love of the game...
Founders Connor Kuhl and Michaelis "Michy" Linardakis just wanted to play lacrosse again at a competitive level. As longtime players of the game (4th grade for Connor and 3rd grade for Michy), not playing once getting to college left a gap in them that couldn't be filled... no matter how much skiing they did (albeit Wasatch pow days did help). So when the MCLA allowed schools with NCAA programs to field a club team; they immediately jumped on the opportunity.
Connor Kuhl (left) and Michaelis Linardakis (right) after leading their team to a National Championship win in 2022.
Realizing Opportunity
The University of Utah became a NCAA Division 1 lacrosse program in 2019. This left a tremendous gap at the University of Utah of skilled players who didn't have the opportunity to play Division 1, but still wanted to compete in college.
As a Salt Lake City local (Michaelis) and a California transplant (Connor), Michaelis and Connor knew that there were students who still had a passion for the sport of lacrosse at the University of Utah. They recognized an opportunity to provide value and an opportunity for student athletes to play lacrosse in college, so they spent an entire semester and countless hours of their lives founding the UofU Men's Lacrosse Club in the Fall of 2021.
Hurdles
Recruiting
We set out to recruit as many players as possible for tryouts. We did this through flyers, social media posts, chalk messages around campus, and word of mouth.
Field & Logistics Management
Next, we needed to secure a field and field times through the school and schedule them without conflict to other clubs. Coordinating all travel during the season through airlines, bus & van charters. Hotel & activity scheduling, etc.
Budget Management & Forecasting
Forecasting an expected budget and rigorously sticking to it to meet all goals during the 9 month season. Constant re-budgeting due to any number of reasons. Providing the best value at the lowest cost to players and their families.
Organization, Team Management
Management of a student-player-coach board who handles all behind the scenes operations of a collegiate sports program.