The WNS Boys Lacrosse Program

Want to feel the rush of a play, the glory of a goal, the exhilaration of a game win?

Lacrosse is great for student-athletes who play football, basketball, soccer, hockey, and other sports. And, by playing lacrosse, student-athletes can further develop their speed, endurance, agility, strength, and precision that enhances their abilities in other sports.

Our program welcomes student-athletes who have been playing lacrosse for years and those who are interested in trying it for the first time. Our coaching staff is passionate about the game and strives to create a positive environment for all. If you have any questions, we are here to answer them.

Learn more about the WNS Program below.

Wolfpack Lacrosse JV Player

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Photo Credit: Matt Zehnder

Wolfpack Lacrosse JV Player

572

Photo Credit: Matt Zehnder

Want to feel the rush of a play, the glory of a goal, the exhilaration of a game win?

Lacrosse is great for student-athletes who play football, basketball, soccer, hockey, and other sports. And, by playing lacrosse, student-athletes can further develop their speed, endurance, agility, strength, and precision that enhances their abilities in other sports.

Our program welcomes student-athletes who have been playing lacrosse for years and those who are interested in trying it for the first time. Our coaching staff is passionate about the game and strives to create a positive environment for all. If you have any questions, we are here to answer them.

Learn more about the WNS Program below.

Our Coaching Staff

Building Skills, Strength, and Teamwork: WNS Boys Lacrosse Coaches

Welcome to the heart of WNS Boys Lacrosse! Our coaching team is dedicated to developing players on and off the field. Through their expert guidance, teamwork, and commitment to excellence, our coaches help athletes sharpen their skills, build confidence, and achieve their full potential. Together, we strive for success while fostering a love for the game.

Varsity Coaching Staff

Jay Bitter
Head Coach

Dan McCrory
Offensive Coordinator

Andy Kirkelis
Defensive Coordinator

Sam Porfilio
Goalie Coach

Anders Bjella
Assistant Coach

Junior Varsity Coaching Staff

Hardland Cook
JV Head Coach

Jared Athy
Assistant Coach

Eriks Pukite
Assistant Coach

Our Coaching Staff

Building Skills, Strength, and Teamwork

Welcome to the heart of WNS Boys Lacrosse! Our coaching team is dedicated to developing players on and off the field. Through their expert guidance, teamwork, and commitment to excellence, our coaches help athletes sharpen their skills, build confidence, and achieve their full potential. Together, we strive for success while fostering a love for the game.

Varsity Coaching Staff

Jay Bitter
Head Coach

Dan McCrory
Offensive Coordinator

Andy Kirkelis
Defensive Coordinator

Sam Porfilio
Goalie Coach

Anders Bjella
Assistant Coach

Junior Varsity Coaching Staff

Hardland Cook
JV Head Coach

Jared Athy
Assistant Coach

Eriks Pukite
Assistant Coach

Game Facilities

WNS Boys Lacrosse unites student athletes from Whitefish Bay, Nicolet, Shorewood, and Dominican High Schools into one powerhouse program. Established in 2002, our varsity and junior varsity teams have built a proud tradition of teamwork, grit, and growth. In 2025, we proudly joined the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) to compete in the North Shore Conference.

The WNS boys lacrosse program is comprised of student-athletes from Whitefish Bay, Nicolet, Shorewood, and Dominican High Schools. Student-athletes from the Whitefish Bay-Nicolet-Shorewood boys’ youth program play for WNS in high school. The WNS boys lacrosse program has teams that compete at the high school varsity and junior varsity levels in the North Shore Conference under the governance of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA).

Lubar Stadium
1200 E Fairmont Avenue Whitefish Bay, WI 53217

MAP

John F. Nickoll Stadium
1701 E Capitol Drive Shorewood, WI 53211

MAP

Nicolet High School Football Field
6701 N Jean Nicolet Road Glendale, WI 53217

MAP

Palermo’s Field
120 E Silver Spring Dr. Whitefish Bay, WI 53217

MAP

WNS Boys Lacrosse Baseline Expectations

Players

  • School comes first: complete assignments and maintain grades

  • Notify coaches of game and/or practice conflicts

  • Respect teammates, coaches, officials, the game

  • You represent your high schools and communities so hold yourself to a higher standard

Coaches

  • Foster a safe environment, promote a culture of respect

  • Teach the game of lacrosse

  • Coach in a way that fills players’ emotional tank

  • Model respect towards officials

  • Teach life skills that extend beyond the field

Parents

  • Communicate proactively with the coaching staff

  • Help create and maintain a positive lacrosse culture

  • Support the coaches and players

  • Respect the officials

  • Volunteer

WNS Boys Lacrosse Baseline Expectations

Players

  • School comes first: complete assignments and maintain grades

  • Notify coaches of game and/or practice conflicts

  • Respect teammates, coaches, officials, the game

  • You represent your high schools and communities so hold yourself to a higher standard

Parents

  • Foster a safe environment, promote a culture of respect

  • Teach the game of lacrosse

  • Coach in a way that fills players’ emotional tank

  • Model respect towards officials

  • Teach life skills that extend beyond the field

Coaches

  • Communicate proactively with the coaching staff

  • Help create and maintain a positive lacrosse culture

  • Support the coaches and players

  • Respect the officials

  • Volunteer

FAQs

Boys and girls lacrosse became a WIAA-sanctioned varsity sport for the 2023-24 season. Lacrosse began as a club sport in Wisconsin, a few decades ago. The WNS Boys Lacrosse program was among the first club programs formed in Wisconsin; the program was then called Milwaukee-Northshore.

WNS Boys Lacrosse is a co-op comprised of Whitefish Bay, Nicolet, Shorewood, and Dominican High Schools. Students attending any of those schools are welcome to join our program.

The Athletics and Activities Directors (ADs) at the co-op’s member schools run the program; Randee Drew at Whitefish Bay High School is the lead AD. Harland Cook is the Head Coach of WNS Boys Lacrosse. He has been coaching and playing lacrosse for over four decades.

Students register to play for WNS Boys Lacrosse through their high schools and pay any applicable activity fee(s) to their high schools. Students do not register directly with WNS Boys Lacrosse.

Students must pay any applicable activity fees that their high schools require and they must be in good standing with any non-financial requirements for participating in school-sponsored sports.

Students can expect to be equipped with uniforms, pinnies, helmets, chest protectors, arm pads, and gloves. The program does have a number of sticks available, as well. Students need to provide their own footwear, athletic wear, warm weather gear (if sweats are worn under game uniforms, rules require the color gray) mouth guards, and additional protective gear (e.g., cup). Because lacrosse sticks vary greatly from one to the next, many players prefer to purchase their own lacrosse stick and either string the head or have it strung for them to fit their throwing style.

Still Have Questions?

Coaches love to hear from players and parents. If you’re looking for equipment, lacrosse camps, or just wondering about lacrosse in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Ask A Coach