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Mike Velez Named Interim Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse
Westminster School has named Mike Velez Interim Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse for the 2027 season. Velez succeeds Joe Rodrigues ’96, who will leave his positions as Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse and Director of Alumni Engagement and Giving on Oct. 2 to return to the employee benefits industry.
Velez brings extensive lacrosse coaching experience to the role, along with 23 years as an educator in independent schools. Now in his second year at Westminster, he teaches history, serves as dorm head of Edge House, and is an assistant coach for Boys’ Varsity Hockey. As interim head coach, Velez will lead a Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse staff that includes assistant coaches Malcolm Kleban ’20, Patrick White, and Demitri George ’18.
“Mike brings tremendous experience, a deep understanding of independent school athletics, and a strong commitment to developing student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Tim Joncas ’00. “He understands both the importance of helping players reach their potential here at Westminster and supporting those who aspire to continue playing at the collegiate level. Most importantly, he understands that coaching at Westminster is about developing the whole student-athlete. We are fortunate to have someone already within our community who can provide continuity for our players and continue moving the program forward.”
Velez began his lacrosse coaching career in 2005 as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Choate Rosemary Hall. After six seasons in those roles, he was named head coach and spent nine years leading the program, winning two Founders League championships. During his tenure, he coached three US Lacrosse All-Americans, seven US Lacrosse Academic All-Americans, and numerous All-New England West I and All-Founders League student-athletes.
He was named US Lacrosse Coach of the Year in 2013 and received the New England West I Man of the Year Award in 2019.
Velez also has extensive experience helping student-athletes develop for collegiate competition. His players have gone on to programs including Notre Dame, Princeton, Virginia, Duke, Yale, Harvard, Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, Johns Hopkins, Denver, Michigan, Syracuse, Colgate, Villanova, Tufts, Middlebury, Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan, Colby, Trinity, Connecticut College, St. Lawrence, and Washington & Lee. Three of his former players have gone on to win NCAA national championships.
Velez is also in his ninth year coaching with 2Way Lacrosse and currently works with the organization’s 2028 Black team, which has been ranked among the top teams nationally in its age group.
Rodrigues returned to Westminster in 2023 to lead the boys’ lacrosse program. A 1996 Westminster graduate, former three-sport varsity captain and Loyola University All-American, he brought a strong connection to the history of Westminster lacrosse and worked to strengthen the program’s culture, competitiveness and connections with alumni.
“I leave the coaching role proud of the young men representing Westminster Lacrosse today and grateful for the generations who helped shape the program we inherited,” Rodrigues said in a message to lacrosse alumni. “While my role as head coach is changing, my connection to Westminster Lacrosse and its future will not.”
Westminster is grateful for Rodrigues’ leadership and service to the school and its lacrosse program. “Joe has brought tremendous energy, leadership, and care to Westminster lacrosse,” said Joncas. “He strengthened the culture of the program, deepened its connection with generations of alumni and, most importantly, made a meaningful impact on our student-athletes. His contributions have positioned the program well for its next chapter, and we look forward to building on the foundation he has helped establish.”
Velez will lead Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse through the 2027 season while Westminster conducts a search for the program’s next head coach.
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