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"burnedbyLax" started as a hobby but evolved into a mission. I'm Michael, and my journey with lacrosse began in 1994 when I started stringing lacrosse sticks to address pocket issues. Growing up in a butcher shop on Kent Island, Maryland, I used butcher twine for stringing, learning the craft through frequent repairs.
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“After a dozen seasons as an NCAA assistant coach, I took a year off, questioning my love for the sport. However, just one season away made me realize how much I missed it. In 2016, I resumed stringing and noticed rising lacrosse product prices. I also observed that players couldn't progress with mass-produced strung heads from big box stores.”
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“burnedbyLax" is my way of giving back to lacrosse. I aim to make the sport affordable for everyone, regardless of location, income, or skill level."
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"burnedbyLax" operates with the heart of a non-profit but with a larger budget. It aims to make lacrosse accessible to players of all backgrounds while educating them about the sport's rich history. By offering high-quality equipment and stringing services at competitive prices, the company is poised for success in the growing lacrosse market. With a focus on customer service, strategic marketing efforts, and operational efficiency, "burnedbyLax" aims to be a trusted and influential partner within the lacrosse community, fostering a sense of unity that contributes to the sport's overall growth and accessibility.
COACHING
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Michael's coaching journey began after he graduated from Whittier College in 2002. Starting with his local club, the Kent Island Comets, now known as Kent Island Youth Lacrosse, his passion for coaching ignited. Fast forward to the 2013 season, while serving under the esteemed Stewart Moan at Susquehanna University, Michael found himself coaching against Salisbury in the NCAA tournament—the same team he once played against during his time at Whittier College. It was a full-circle moment, as Whittier College reached the same bracket placement during his playing days.
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In 2023, Michael was officially diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum. Lacrosse wasn't just a hobby; it was an accessible and appropriate coping mechanism.
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Growing up on Kent Island and tending to my Aunt Trudy's estate at Great Neck, I was surrounded by the legacy of R.V. Truitt, Aunt Trudy's father. R.V. was the first head lacrosse coach at his alma mater, the University of Maryland, from 1919 to 1927, and was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1959. Today, this legacy continues to resonate in everyone touched by R.V, including Michael. Through burnedbyLax and, more significantly, in Michael and Lauri's lives, as well as their children, Addi and Ti, and every player and family encouraged, equipped, and educated in the Creator's game, Lacrosse.
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#M akingLacrosseAffordable #MakingAwesomeAffordable
