Washington Township HS boys lacrosse begins 20th season
SEWELL, N.J. — Considered a non-traditional sport by many, lacrosse is anything but an afterthought for athletes and coaches at Washington Township High School. The boys’ program was established in 2002, which means the mid-April season opener kicked off its milestone 20th season. Passion not only helped the program become what it is today, but also paved the way for similar programs to be established at nearby schools in South Jersey.
Several current and former Minutemen grew their love for the sport through Washington Township’s youth program, which head coach Josh Hanlon credits for helping the program develop an increasing number of WTHS-turned collegiate athletes over the years. One of the team’s dozen seniors this year has already committed to Gwynedd Mercy University.
“One of my goals is to have a strong connection to the youth program,” Hanlon said. “I moved to Washington Township about seven years ago, and right away wanted to get involved by helping with youth lacrosse. A great part about coaching is seeing your town’s players grow up and take part in the high school program.”
Courtesy: Matthew Rappa
Returning to the Field
The Minutemen are excited to return to action, given their 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hanlon considers the team’s 2019 Gloucester County Cup victory as his most memorable game since being named WTHS’ fourth-ever Boys’ Lacrosse head coach in December 2016.
“We scored the go-ahead goal with six seconds left to win the cup for the first time since 2011,” Hanlon said. “Now in my fifth year coaching at WTHS, my focus is on continuing to build traditions and working with the local lacrosse community.”
While the Boys’ Lacrosse team has high hopes for the 2021 season, it tries to avoid setting long-term goals. “We don’t want to be defined by anything quantitative,” Hanlon said. “Instead, we want our goals to be things that can be observed rather than measured. A win is a win and a loss is a loss at the end of the day.”
Focusing on the ‘Next Goal’
Whenever a loss does take place, the team takes pride in achieving the “next goal” to bounce back — on and off the field. “It could be getting to class on time and completing homework. Then, on the field, making the next save, pass, or shot,” Hanlon said. “All these things contribute to our ‘next goal.’”
Organization and detailed practice plans will be contributing factors for what the team hopes to be a successful year. “We have a positive outlook but I always tell the guys that the way things are now will look much different going into the final game of the season,” said Hanlon.
A unique perspective on leadership is another driving force for the Minutemen, as several players recently completed a workshop that taught what being a leader is all about. “We often name ‘captains,’ but never teach how to lead,” Hanlon said. “We are trying to create a new culture where captains are not the only leaders. Anyone can lead and there should be no correlation to how athletically gifted you are.”
Courtesy: Matthew Rappa Taking in Every Opportunity
This season marks Hanlon’s 12th in a coaching role, having previously served on the staffs at Neshaminy High School (Langhorne, PA) and Pennsbury High School (Fairless Hills, PA). The Technology Integration Specialist and Newtown, Pennsylvania, native was named Washington Township’s 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year for his efforts to successfully transition WTHS from in-person to virtual learning.
Hanlon is a 2004 alumnus of McDaniel College — a liberal arts college in Westminster, Maryland — where he was a two-time All-American defenseman and three-time First Team All-Centennial Conference selection. A 2016 inductee of the college’s Sports Hall of Fame, Hanlon was named to their Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary team two years later.
While being a star athlete came naturally for Hanlon, he continues to take steps to better himself as a coach. Fresh out of college and during his first coaching job, he quickly learned the importance of being organized and a “student of the game” from Dean Curtis, a fellow Pennsbury High School lacrosse coach.
“I still stay in touch with Dean for ideas on how to improve,” Hanlon said. “The hardest part coaching is there are so many things out of your control. It is easy to say you need to do ‘XYZ,’ but it’s important to see things from different perspectives. I have been through so much in my adult life that has shaped me. These kids are just starting that journey.”
As such, Hanlon has one wish for his players. “Twenty or thirty years from now, I want them to reflect and be proud to say they were Minutemen,” he said. “My proudest coaching moment is every time an alumnus shows up at practice. Them coming back shows they have great memories from high school. That is all any coach could ask for.”
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