Episode six of the Going Offsides podcast features Hope College Men’s Lacrosse Coach Mike Schanhals.
Coach Schanhals has been with the program since 2005 and has lead the team from an unaffiliated club, to the MCLA, and more recently to NCAA Division III in 2013. In his time at Hope College, he was able to bring the team to an NCAA tournament in 2019 and has been able to do so while teaching full-time.
Within the episode we discuss the history of Hope College lacrosse, how the program has evolved over time, and how he has been able to balance having what appears to be two full-time jobs. In addition to his everyday experience, he briefly mentions his time as a coach before Hope, his experience winning multiple high school state championships, and how he witnessed the great American movie American Pie take place in Michigan.
Schanhals played goalie and attack on Hope’s club team and went on to play post-collegiately locally as a member of the Grand Rapids LC, Shooters LC, and the Westside Blue Dragons LC.
After graduation, he began coaching the varsity lacrosse at East Grand Rapids High School where he led the Pioneers to unprecedented results. It began with a state finals runner-up run in 1992, followed by the program’s first state championship in 1993. In 1994, East Grand Rapids went 14-0 and finished with another state title, with Schanhals selected as the Class B Coach of the Year
Schanhals left East Grand Rapids for a teaching position in North Muskegon Public schools where he has served as an English teacher for the past 18 years as well as head coach of Hope College. Players and coaches alike will appreciate Mike’s great passion for not only the game, but also his passion for life outside of lacrosse.
Going Offsides with Mike Schanhals
Stay tuned for more great interviews by Nick and Ryan as they continue to grow the “Going Offsides” podcast. Follow them @laxcollective on twitter or at www.thelacrossecollective.com
