Coach Mike Velez brings extensive lacrosse coaching experience to Boys’ Varsity team, along with 23 years as an educator in independent schools. 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.

Supporting Coach Velez are Assistant Coach Patrick White, Demitri George ’18, and Malcolm Kleban ’20. White earned the 2024 New England West 1 Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2024, and former Quinnipiac University and PLL face-off specialist, George, helped the face-off unit post a .577 win percentage in 2025.

Kleban was a standout goaltender at the University of Denver who returned to his alma mater in 2025 as a teacher and assistant coach. Velez 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.

 

Interested in playing for Westminster? Our coaches would love to hear from you!

Athletic Inquiry Form

Complete the inquiry form above and our coaches will be in touch with you regarding the next steps. We look forward to meeting you soon!

 

Westminster plays in the Founders League and New England West Division 1—two of the most competitive lacrosse leagues in the nation. This rigorous schedule attracts top student-athletes from across the country, committed to excellence in the classroom and on the field.

Our championship history includes:

Since introducing lacrosse in 1968, Westminster has built a proud tradition of developing elite players and leaders. With an all-time record of 484-305-1, our program has consistently produced athletes who thrive at the collegiate and professional levels.

Since 1980, over 39 alumni have captained their college teams.

Westminster graduates have gone on to play at some of the most respected programs in the country, including:

Air Force, Bowdoin, Brown, Colby, Colgate, Cornell, Dartmouth, Denison, Duke, Hamilton, Harvard, Hobart, Loyola, Middlebury, Marquette, Princeton, St. Lawrence, Syracuse, Trinity, Vassar, Navy, Michigan, Notre Dame, Vermont, Virginia, Williams, Wesleyan and Yale

Many have earned All-American honors, been inducted into Halls of Fame, and played professionally in the United States and/or Canada.

In just the last two seasons, 17 players have committed to schools such as:

St. Anselm University, Bentley University, Bryant University, Colorado College, Endicott College, Fairfield University, Gettysburg College, Hamilton College, Marquette University, Skidmore College, Syracuse University, U.S. Naval Academy, University of Vermont, Wesleyan University

 

At Westminster, we prepare young men for life, not just for lacrosse. Guided by our core values—Community, Character, Balance, and Involvement—and our school motto, Grit and Grace, our program fosters leadership, teamwork, resilience and accountability.

Our players are known for their relentless pursuit of excellence, both on the field and off. They compete with heart, lead with humility, and represent Westminster with pride.

 

Be sure to follow Westminster Lacrosse on Instagram at @westy_boys_lacrosse to stay up to date!

 

Visit the livestream link to watch Westminster teams compete this season. Go Martlet Nation!