Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

Team of Coaches Ignite Lacrosse Program

Bears vs Lions 
(Bears in blue jerseys)

The newly founded Hollywood Bears Lacrosse program has more than tripled in size and is headed for a great spring season.  There are 40 players enrolled in three teams – U13, U11 and U9 —  in this winter season, up from only 12 players last year.   Founder and head coach, Robert Woodley, not only recruited a great group of dedicated players, but he has also assembled a superb coaching staff:  Skyler Hopkins, Michael Song and Peter Swander.  Between them they have over 50 years of coaching experience.

Left to right: Coaches Skyler, Rob, Pete and Michael.
Left to right: Coaches Skyler, Rob, Pete and Michael.

Coach Skyler Hopkins grew up in Easton, MD, where he began playing at age 6.  He was a 3-year starter and captain of the nationally ranked Eagles at McDonogh High school in Baltimore, MD.  At Middlebury College he earned All-American Honors and played four times in the NCAA tournament, once as runner up in the National Championship game.  Sklyer has over 10 years of experience coaching and working with young players, especially at the youth level.

Coach Michael Song was a starting midfielder for the Korean National Team in 2002, leading the world cup in total points after the first two rounds. Michael has been playing lacrosse since his childhood in Virginia, and coached the sport for over a decade, youth through varsity high school players.  As a former Division I player, he knows what the game is all about.

LaCrosse2
Coach Skyler huddles with the Bears.

Coach Peter Swander was captain of his high school, regional and state all-star teams. At Wesleyan University, he started as a freshman at the attack position.  Aside from his lifelong love of the game, Peter brings a wide expertise in movement – biomechanics and yoga – that ensures the players receive a holistic lacrosse education.

Head Coach Robert Woodley played lacrosse at Cate High School and for the Claremont Colleges Mens’ team.  After graduating from Pomona College, he coached lacrosse in Long Beach for several years.  When work moved him to the Hollywood area, he decided to start a program of his own – the Hollywood Bears.  Rob strives to foster a culture of hard work, consistent improvement and sportsmanship for the players and coaches in his program.  He hopes that his players excel not only on the lacrosse field, but in every other facet of their lives.

2349-18
Coach Skyler goes in for a score.

The atmosphere at games and practices is electric.  One thing is obvious: these coaches – and now their players – love lacrosse. To sign up for Spring Season visit the Lacrosse website or  email coach Rob for details.

Photos by Lindsay Gallagher.

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Lindsay Gallagher
Lindsay Gallagherhttp://www.iknowbutidontknow.net
Lindsay is a transplant from New York City who has lived in Larchmont Village for all of her 20 years in Los Angeles. This “walking neighborhood” is perfect for her and her family, who consider themselves very blessed to have discovered such a charming small town in the heart of a sprawling metropolis. Lindsay travels often with her kids and writes reviews and blogs for the family travel website,Poshbrood.com and the Larchmont Buzz, Content for City National Bank's online magazine, News&Insights, is a member the editorial team at Marriott Traveler, and is a published novelist (pen name).

Related Articles

2 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Calendar

Latest Articles

.printfriendly { padding: 0 0 60px 50px; }