BLA Instruction Team
Our coaches are the most important and impressive characteristic of the Buffalo Lacrosse Academy (BLA). Many families are drawn to the genuine atmosphere and dedication our staff instills. The BLA works hard to find lacrosse instructors who possess high moral character, work diligently, and truly love the game of lacrosse.
The BLA believes its Instruction Team is not only made up of great teachers of the game, but role models. Some instructors are local lacrosse players who want to give back and help lacrosse grow in the Buffalo-Niagara area. Other instructors are nationally recognized lacrosse players and/or coaches who are willing to share the wealth of their experiences.
The BLA Instructional Team has established a tradition of player development, education, and competition. As always, the BLA’s primary goal is to help players achieve growth and success at their highest levels. There are opportunities for players of all skill levels within the BLA. Our coaches and players demonstrate fulfillment and confidence as individuals and players.
BLA Directors and Coaches
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Butch Chadwick |
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Michael Wright Williamsville East High School Assistant Coach Providence College Assistant Coach 1999 1998 - 99 Captain; Academic All-Conference Selection |
Program Coaches and Coordinators
Coach Jonathan Domres comes to the BLA with more than ten years of playing experience. He has also has more than four years of coaching experience. Coach Domres was a four year varsity letterman for Jerry Severino and Ed Vantine at Hamburg Senior High School in Hamburg, New York. There he won sectional titles in 2007 and 2008 and advanced to the state semi-final. He is also a NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse athlete for Randy Mearns at Canisius College. Coach Domres also played one season of Junior "A" Box Lacrosse for Dave Pym (current NLL coach for the Calgary Roughnecks) and the Edmonton Eclipse. There he won a provincial championship and advanced to the Minto Cup, the Junior A box lacrosse national championship.
Besides playing, Coach Domres is dedicated to sharing his lacrosse knowledge with young players growing up in Buffalo. This is his fourth summer with the BLA coaching staff.
Coach Ed Greenway comes to the BLA with an impressive career. A native of Central New York, he is responsible for igniting a lot of that lacrosse tradition into Western New York.
He has coached 26 years in the Williamsville program as well as teaching Social Studies in the school district. Coach Greenway currently coaches Williamsville East Modified Football and Varsity Lacrosse, and chairs the Class B ECIC. A true multi-sport coach, has given more than ten years to AYB Basketball as a Coordinator. In 1994 he started the Amherst Lacrosse Association (ALA) and given a start to many successful Northtown players. In the spirit of “Travel Teams” he took a group to the Vail Shootout and Sheffield, England. In return, he has hosted English teams in Buffalo. In addition, he has been part of BLA since the beginning. Every player in Western New York owes Coach Greenway for being the area’s lacrosse pioneer.
A lucky few of us can call him a mentor and a friend. Coach Greenway credits his wife, Michelle, and children, Chelsea, Colin, and Heather for a solid foundation.
Coach Mike Grizanti has been with the BLA for the past 4 years. He is the defensive specialist responsible for the success of the Varsity level players. He attended St. Francis High School, Class of 2003. There he was Second Team All WNY, First Team WNY league, and Red Raider’s 2003 Most Valuable Player. Coach Grizanti went on to play at national powerhouse, Mercyhurst College. He was USILA All-American Specialist, USILA Academic All-American and East Coast Conference First Team All-Conference and was part of a 2004 and 2006 National Semi-Final. His Mercyhurst team was the 2007 National Runner Up for Division II. Coach Grizanti currently the assistant coach at Williamsville South High School.
Coach Grizanti leaves us with his philosophy. It is inspired by Eric Thomas. “In order to be successful at anything in life or lacrosse, you must (1) have heart and (2) be able to sacrifice at any time what you are for what you want.”
Coach Craig Hinchcliffe grew up in Rochester and attended McQuaid Jesuit High School. He was part of the first years of McQuaid's Lacrosse program. From there he went on to play for the Naval Academy Club team and finished his undergraduate career at Geneseo.
Coach Hinchcliffe began coaching at Geneseo as a Senior Assistant. Since that he has coached at many levels across many regions. He coached a year of JV at Chopticon HS and four years of Varsity at Northern HS, all in Southern Maryland. While there, he won a few league titles for Calvert County. The Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches Association also helped with State Championships and the Maryalnd All-State Teams. It also provided an opportunity to become invovled with the Under-19 Team USA tryouts.
Lacrosse also afforded Coach Hinchcliffe the chance to spend a summer coaching lacrosse in Germany for the fledglling Hamburg Warriors. He was also the lieason for Team Germany's U19 Team at the World Games in Baltimore. The oportunities in coaching lacrosse are worth the many hours of playing and teaching.
Coach Hinchcliffe presently teaches at Canisius HS and has initiated an Ignatian Coaches Seminar to help coaches understand the Jesuit Mission. He coaches Canisius Rugby in the Spring and reserves lacrosse coaching for BLA.
Coach Mike Parentis grew up in South Buffalo NY and attended the Nichols school. As a youngster he was first team ALL WNY for three years and played on two Empire State Teams. He was also a high school All American and played in the North-South All-Star game. Coach Parentis attended Yale University and was a three year letter winner. His team voted him best defensive player both his junior and senior years. On a larger stage, he was First team All-Ivy, First Team All-New England and second team All American for his senior year. His team played in two NCAA tournaments; first, in his sophomore year and again his senior year. Also during his senior year, Yale was ranked second in the country behind Syracuse and the Gait brothers but lost in the Final Four semis in double overtime to Loyola. Coach Parentis is the current Nichols School Head JV coach. He has been with BLA for a few years and is now the Rising Sophomores coach.
He is currently a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon in Sports Medicine. He specializes in foot and ankle injuries and is key doctor at the Knee Center of WNY. Coach Parentis has three children that all play lacrosse. He would like to emphasize that he has a very understanding wife who is tired of lacrosse.
Coach Rick Presutti also comes to the area from Central New York. His coaching career came to fruition after playing at SUNY Geneseo. He finished his career there with a year of coaching. From there Coach Presutti coached JV in Waterloo and assisted with Modified and JV Lacrosse in Geneva. While there he began the Geneva Youth Program for players aged five to fourteen. In Western New York, Coach Presutti coached Williamsville South JV and is currently the Williamsville East Varsity Assistant. For the last five summers, he has helped with Amherst Lacrosse Association. Coach Presutti has been an instrumental part of BLA for the last four years.
Coach Presutti is edging into his 2oth year of youth Lacrosse Coaching. He lives with his family in Williamsville.
Major Contributors to the Buffalo Lacrosse Academy
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Chaz Bulera Medaille College Head Coach Amherst High School Assistant Coach Semi-Professional Ontario Field Lacrosse League Can-Am Semi-Professional Box Lacrosse League 2003 Professional Player for Rochdale Lacrosse club of Manchester; England St. Andrews Presbyterian College |
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Steve Lachut Medaille College 2007 Amherst High School Assistant Coach |
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Jay Schickling |
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Ben Dlugosh |
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Steve Steck Grand Island High School Head Coach Founder of the Grand Island Youth Lacrosse League Canisius College 1996 1996 Captain; Presidential Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award; Academic All-Conference Selection |
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John Szymendera Williamsville South High School Head Coach University of New York at Buffalo 1999 |
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Jon Kenney Washington College 2007 2005 - 07 Captain; 2-Time 1st Team All Centennial Conference; 2006 Second Team All American, 2006 ECAC All Star Selection |
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Michael Carbery Assistant Athletic Director, Medaille College Sports Information Director & Compliance Coordinator Medaille College Head Coach (2000-2008) 1994-1999 Canisius High School 1999 WNY Private School Championship; Section VI High School Lacrosse Coach of the Year Canisius College 1996 Team MVP; Defensive Player of the Year honors; Top ten nationally in save percentage in 1991, 1992, & 1994 |
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Kevin Rozo West Seneca West High School Assistant Coach Canisius College 1998 Captain; First Team All MAAC; School record holder for wins, saves, and save percentage |
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Harrison Rogers Grand Island Assistant Coach Grand Island Youth Lacrosse Coach SUNY Potsdam 2006 2005-2006 Captain, 1st and 2nd Team All-SUNYAC, 2005 and 2006 SUNYAC Academic Chancellors Award |
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Rashaun Durden |
Athletic Trainer
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Mike Maisano |
Guest Speaker Series
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Chris Burdick Head Coach, Providence College |
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Mike Carbery Assistant Athletic Director Medaille College, Sports Information Director & Compliance Coordinator |
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Brian Jenkins Head Coach, Shenandoah University |
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Todd Cavallaro Head Coach, Franklin and Marshall |
Current Medaille College Players
For information go to: http://www.medaille.edu/mavericks/menslacrosse/
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