Varsity boys lacrosse at Miami Palmetto Senior High has just entered a new chapter, with the arrival of a fresh face on the field. As the team gears up for the upcoming season, all eyes are on the newly appointed assistant coach, Miguel Perez. Perez’s experience and vision are set to shape the team’s future.
Perez started his lacrosse journey in 2009 during his freshman year of high school. He continued until college, where he then transitioned into coaching.
“I stopped playing in the middle of college, but then I started coaching at Palmer Trinity right before Palmetto,” Perez said. “Palmer had a very limited number of players, since it was a smaller school, so the pool of kids that wanted to play lacrosse is a lot smaller. It’s harder to get a solid team, rather than, at Palmetto, where we have like 60 guys.”
Perez’s decision to start coaching again was influenced by his good friend and head boys lacrosse coach, Jacob Cropley.
“Jake Cropley had reached out from Palmetto, since I had stopped being a coach at Palmer for about two years until I came back to coach at Palmetto. I think it’s one of the most underrated sports of all time, and I just have so much fun coaching kids and picking up the stick again,” Perez said. “Coaching is just something that I’ve always wanted to do.”
Perez has ambitious plans to elevate the team and create a supportive and motivating environment.
“As coaches, we want to bring in guidance, and that sort of discipline that comes with it, so that’s something that I want to improve. You come in as a coach, and you try to be their friend, but you also want to be like an authoritative figure,” Perez said.
Perez has high hopes for the team this year, aiming for a winning record and the opportunity to bring home wins throughout the season. He is focused on fostering a strong team dynamic and pushing the players to reach their full potential.
“Winning isn’t the most important thing, I mean these [high school] years are some of the best years of your life, and it’s super important to make memorable moments while these guys are playing because after college there aren’t that many opportunities to play,” Perez said.
As the team prepares to face tough competition, a new coach and a clear vision for success, there is a sense of renewed energy and confidence that could make this year’s season one to remember.
