LONG BEACH, Calif. — Lacrosse is growing in popularity in Long Beach and Danny Katene Marindin, the head coach of the Cabrillo High School boys varsity team, is a third-generation player and coach who radiates an unmatched passion for the sport.

A family of lacrosse players

Marindin was born and raised in Long Beach and has been playing lacrosse since he was in eighth grade.

“I was in Maryland visiting my mother’s side of the family and began learning the sport from my grandfather,” he said, recalling the first time he had been introduced to the sport. His grandfather played for Washington College in the early 60’s.

Marindin’s mom, aunt and uncle were next to pick up a lacrosse stick, then passed the torch to his generation. His cousins play and coach as well. It is obvious that lacrosse is woven into the fabric of Marindin’s family dynamic.

Marindin started playing organized lacrosse a year later when he was in ninth grade. The sport was just beginning in the area and early on it was difficult to find players to carry a full roster. The fact that there was a shortage of players improved his game because he gained access to a variety of positions.

“When I started ninth grade, I played on a club team called Beach Cities,” he said. “Our team combined players from various local high schools in Long Beach. We played other lacrosse club high school teams from other cities, ranging from Santa Clarita to Temecula to Palm Desert. We were just starting out, so we didn’t always have substitutes. The benefit from playing on this team is I got to play all the positions except goalie.”

Cabrillo High School lacrosse

Last year, the 29-year-old’s dream became reality. He was selected from a qualified roster of potential coaches and was promoted to lead the Cabrillo High School boys varsity lacrosse team. Marindin has been coaching for 15 years on the youth level and was assisting high school teams as well. His call-up came after patiently putting in his time in the Long Beach lacrosse scene. Although his first season as head coach was canceled due to COVID-19, he is ready to make an impact at the start of the 2022 season.

“Some of the student athletes were devastated that we couldn’t play at all,” he said. “This year, we just need the players to stay eligible for the entire season.”

Marindin is optimistic about the upcoming season and the potential of his squad.

“I’m trying very hard to get this program off the ground to be like the other high school teams in the area,” he said.

The Cabrillo coach believes that lacrosse has a very positive influence on the youth and wants to use his position to guide his athletes and be a role model. His outreach within the lacrosse community is expansive and he constantly finds creative ways to help grow the sport in LA County.

“Lacrosse is growing here in Los Angeles County,” he said. “Orange and San Diego County already have strong club teams. My main goal is to see lacrosse grow here in the city of Long Beach. I want every student athlete who loves the sport to play it wherever they want. This will open the door to more opportunities for them.”

The Moore League matchups should be competitive this season and Marindin is looking forward to seeing how they play out.

“This is the first time we have five teams that are California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) in our school district,” he said. “I am excited to play against the Moore League teams.”

What is it about lacrosse?

“The sport is addicting and the connections within the lacrosse community are tight and reach around the world,” Marindin said. He also commented on the ever-growing number of lacrosse supporters around the country.

“Over the years, the number of spectators has increased remarkably as this is a fast sport that is played in under two hours.” He attributes this growth to the fast-paced nature of the game and that any match can change instantly.

“This is a great sport for players and spectators,” he said excitedly. “The physicality of the checks, the quick shots coming towards the goal, the amazing stick skills used by offense, defense, and goalie alike. It is America’s oldest sport and I would like to thank the Haudenosaunee (an indigenous group from North America) for creating it!”

A product of Long Beach

As mentioned earlier, Marindin is a product of Long Beach. He started and finished his education right there in the beachside city. In May of 2021, he received his master’s in sport management from California State University Long Beach where his classmates nicknamed him Lax Bro.

“It was more important that we learn from our errors than dwell on the negative,” he concluded. “Be prepared for life on and off the lacrosse field and have fun!”