By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/5/15
Former three-time National Lacrosse League All-Star Luke Wiles has been named head boys’ lacrosse coach at Archbishop Carroll.
Wiles grew up playing box lacrosse in Ontario and was the MVP of a Minto Cup champion (St. Catharines Athletics) and later a key member of an NLL champion (Washington Stealth in 2010). He starred at the University of Delaware and scored over 250 goals in nine NLL seasons with four teams, including the Philadelphia Wings.
Luke Wiles
Wiles has run camps and clinics in Ontario for nine years and is heavily involved with the world wide charity, Right to Play, which goes into secluded areas of Canada and provides sticks to underserved kids and teaches them how to play lacrosse. Wiles is also an assistant coach with Fusion Lacrosse, a growing box/field program in Philly that offers club teams, training and sponsors tournaments.
Archbishop Carroll finished 9-9 last year, going 4-6 in the Catholic League.
Wiles answered these questions:
What is your general coaching philosophy?
Wiles: “The things I try to stick to are:
‘Don’t yell at kids’ – every-time someone yelled at me when I was a kid I took a stance and didn’t want to listen to them.
‘Be Honest,’ – Tell kids where they stand. Sports don’t lie and being honest will only help people grow, even when its hard to hear.
‘Do things the right way!’ – If you are playing sports the right way, you are doing everything in real life the right way. Be disciplined with your craft and always be attempting to perfect the art form in your own image (everyone is different, you have to find what works for you).”
What are your short-term goals at Carroll?
Wiles: “Put the team in a position to win right away! Our defense will protect our net at all costs; our offense will be very creative and it will be a fun team to play for.”
What are your long-term goals at Carroll?
Wiles: “Win state titles, put as many kids into the right college for them as possible and build a top-notch program that everyone wants their child to attend.”
Why do you coach in the Right to Play program?
Wiles: ‘It is very powerful for the community and very good for my soul to give back the great teachings that I have been given along the way.”
Who helped shape the coach you are today?
Wiles: “I have been very lucky to have some great mentors along the way. My father was the one who stands out the most; hours and hours of watching hockey games and yelling at the TV, of driving home from games and talking about what I could have done better, of sitting in the truck with my dad when I was a little boy and talking game plans and positions and being a good person. I lost this great man when I was 20 and I spend every day not just thinking about him but trying to make him proud. I know that if I continue to be a good person, do the right things and spread the impeccable knowledge that I had the honor of accepting that I will continue to strive for greatness and the kids that are lucky enough to receive these teachings will build a strong foundation for themselves.”