Cal Poly Lacrosse

Despite the growth of youth lacrosse in the Bay Area, Orange County, and the San Diego area, there are still many places around California and the nation where lacrosse is not played at the youth level.

Throughout the years, Cal Poly Lacrosse has prided itself on teaching the game to hundreds of brand new players. Even though our team has improved greatly in recent years and is attracting dozens of experienced players each year, we are still dedicated to teaching the game and allowing new players to join the team.

Make no mistake, it is not easy!!! And it has become more difficult each year due to the large numbers of experienced players on the squad. However, with dedication, perseverance, and hard work, it can be done.

Each season, we have a number of players make major contributions to the team who had never picked up a stick before coming to Cal Poly. On the 2001 squad, team captain and defenseman Brady Johnston, long-stick midfielder Caleb Bussell, and midfielder Reid Zeller were all regulars on the field, despite never having played in high school.

In 2002 and 2003, defensemen Vinnie Consolo and Joe Saltzman continued that tradition, and were key contributors on two of the strongest Cal Poly teams in memory.

In 2004, Chris Wilkinson continued Cal Poly’s tradition of excellent newcomers, developing into one of the team’s best players; in 2005, his hard work and dedication culminated in being voted Team Captain by his teammates, and at the end of the season, being honored as a WCLL All-Star as a face-off midfielder.

Ryan Hatheway kept the tradition going, working his way into the starting line-up at close defense during the 2007-2008 seasons. Ryan's career achievements culminated in being named to the WCLL's 2nd Team All-Conference squad in 2008.

In 2009, defensive midfielders Ryan Alletag and Matt Leal continued the impressive string. Both were voted by their teammates as captains for the successful 2009 campaign, and Ryan was awarded both league and national honors. Alletag was the only Mustang to receive MCLA All-America recognition for the 2009 season. Ryan continued to collect honors and accolades in 2010, as he was named to the WCLL All-Conference 1st Team and the MCLA All-America 2nd Team for the second consecutive season.

Future seasons should be no different, as we will continue to teach lacrosse to brand new players, providing them with the tools necessary to become integral members of the Cal Poly Lacrosse team and enable them to carry on our team’s proud traditions.

Fall Ball is the time for new players to learn the fundamentals of the game. In fall, we conduct separate Rookie Practices, where the coaches will teach you basic stick skills and the rules of lacrosse; by January, most rookies are ready to join the regular practices and begin their official career as a Cal Poly Lacrosse player.

Of course, you need to be realistic, if you haven’t excelled at other sports in your life, than don’t expect to miraculously become a fantastic lacrosse player. However, if you have had success in football or basketball or soccer or any number of other sports, and want to try the “fastest game on two feet”, our coaches will do their best to help you become a quality collegiate lacrosse player.