Andrew Lavalle named new varsity boys’ lacrosse head coach

Warrior assistant coach moves up to replace Geno Busa

By JIM SOUTHMAYD

WAKEFIELD — Andrew Lavalle followed Geno Busa in the boys’ lacrosse coaching ranks at Billerica High School and then came over to assist Busa when he was appointed the head coach for the Warrior boys’ lacrosse program in 2012. Now, Lavalle has followed Busa once again as he was recently appointed to the head coaching position at WMHS.

Lavalle, 31, spent three years as an assistant varsity coach for Busa who resigned his position during the winter sports season due to a job change. Lavalle was the offensive coordinator for Busa and now is his successor.

“I personally was on the fence originally about taking the position,” said Lavalle. “I like the guys so much. They’re character students and they’re the best group of players I’ve coached. I hope to do a good job. I was so happy and pumped when Mr. (Mike) Boyages offered me the job. The first people I called were my parents. It’s a dream come true.”

Lavalle was a hired in late February from among a strong field of applicants said Boyages. Four candidates were interviewed by the screening committee which included Boyages, WMHS Principal Richard Metropolis and several representatives of the youth lacrosse community. The screening committee recommended to Metropolis that Lavalle be offered the position which he was.

“We had a good number of applicants, including coaches in other schools,” said Boyages. “We thought it would be an easier transition with Lavalle. Geno Busa changed jobs and he was going to be unable to make it practices after school, so we had to fill the position late. Andrew has been an assistant coach with the program and he has good skills. I’m sure he will do a good job an the team will have a great season.

“Andrew has some good experience and it should be a smooth transition,” continued Boyages. “There are veteran players on offense and defense with some skills. We thought it would be an easier transition for the kids. There were some strong candidates.”

Lavalle was a lacrosse player at Billerica High and graduated in the Class of 2002. Lavalle attended UMass-Lowell, but didn’t play lacrosse because the River Hawks didn’t have a men’s lacrosse program at the time. After he graduated from college, he joined the Billerica coaching staff.

Lavalle started as a freshman coach while Busa was the JV coach and then moved up to the JV position when Busa was an assistant with the varsity. Busa coached for three years for the Warriors and posted a 38-21 record while at WMHS. Wakefield made the state tournament in all three seasons Busa was at the helm.

“I was always a step behind Geno,” said Lavalle who coached six years for the Indians.

When the head coaching position opened up in Wakefield in ‘12, Busa asked Lavalle to join the Warrior staff.

“Geno aligned himself with coaches that he knew and I learned a lot from him,” said Lavalle. “I’m from Billerica, but when I came over to Wakefield, I fell in love with the town.”

Lavalle is still a Billerica resident and is a sixth grade teacher at the Locke Middle School in Billerica.

The Warrior team has been informed and Lavalle credits his captains for great leadership. The first day of spring practices begin Monday and Lavalle hopes to continue the success the Warriors had a year ago when they won 15 games. That was the best season ever by a WMHS varsity boys’ lacrosse team.

“My captains showed great leadership,” said Lavalle. “We have a lot of returning players. We had a great defense and we scored a lot of goals on the offensive side. We lose one key senior on the offensive side that scored a lot of our goals. But, we’re looking to do the same thing and score a lot of goals.”

Right now, the Warriors will be inside practicing when the spring preseason schedule starts next week. Wakefield does have a scrimmage at Woburn High School scheduled for Saturday, March 21. The regular season opener is on Saturday, March 28 against Austin Prep at Landrigan Field.

Lavalle, like all spring coaches, is just hoping the snow melts quickly since his team can get onto Landrigan Field for practices and for games.

“We’ll work hard on the physical and mental aspects of our game. I think it is the end result but the journey which matters the most. These kids are a great group of players.”

Doug Gallant has been hired as a varsity assistant for Lavalle. Gallant was a volunteer coach with the varsity a year ago. Tim Johnson will return as the JV coach.