Lakewood High has discontinued both its boys and girls lacrosse programs after failing to find qualified head coaches, a decision that reflects broader challenges facing a sport that was once one of California’s fastest-growing competitions.
The move comes as reigning Moore League boys co-champion Millikan and defending girls champion Wilson continue searching for head coaches, leaving two of the league’s four reigning champions without leadership. Long Beach Poly recently hired a coach for its boys program but remains in search of a girls coach.
For Lakewood athletic director Mike Wadley, the decision was not about student interest in lacrosse. It was about whether the school could responsibly operate a program without the proper leadership…