PHS Coach and Former Pro Starts Indoor Lacrosse Season for Students

There’s always been a little rivalry between the U.S. and Canada―whether it’s about health care or taxes. One thing they’ve definitely got us beat at is box—or indoor—lacrosse.

But Zachary Burke, varsity lacrosse coach at , is determined to change that.

“Box lacrosse is played in Canada when the ice thaws out in the hockey rinks,” said Burke, who grew up in Baltimore playing lacrosse and began coaching at PHS in June 2011. “Then when they play down here (on the field), they just kill us.”

Burke says part of the reason is that they are used to competing in smaller spaces, and have been trained to score in a goal that is nearly 2 square feet smaller than the one used in field lacrosse.

Beginning in September, Burke is launching the inaugural season of the Southern California Indoor Lacrosse League through Propel Lacrosse, an organization that began on the east coast in 2008. The league will be open to all North County students.

“My job as a coach is to hold my team accountable and make sure they do things the right way―whether that’s holding, catching, passing, dodging, carrying the ball or protecting your stick,” Burke said. “This is going to help them with their skill and intensity.”

Burke, who earned a scholarship to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, before being signed on with the Philadelphia Wings, says the goal of SCILL is to get middle and high school students ready for the next level.

But more than that, Burke says he’s simply passionate about what he teaches.

“I love this game. I would play whenever, wherever,” he said.

For cost and information on how to join and where students will play, email ZBurke28@gmail.com or visit propellacrosse.com.