Colorado Academy welcomes Casey Powell, a Hall of Fame American former college and professional lacrosse player, as CA’s new Head of Program for Boys Lacrosse. A native of New York, where he earned Division I Most Outstanding Player in 1997 and 1998 playing attack and midfield for Syracuse University, Powell brings to CA a long track record as a highly decorated competitor, respected coach, and noted advocate for the sport.
“I am incredibly honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Lacrosse program at Colorado Academy,” says Powell. “This is a new chapter in my lacrosse journey, and I am excited to bring my passion, knowledge, and experience to help shape and develop the next generation of lacrosse players.”
CA’s Director of Athletics, Jon Hill, adds, “We are so excited and fortunate to have Casey join the Colorado Academy community as the Head of Program for Boys Lacrosse. The community can’t wait to see all the great things he will accomplish here and for the sport of lacrosse in Colorado. I am confident that he will take our program to the next level.”
Powell was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2017 after a career spanning more than 20 years. Following his success as a four-time All-American at Syracuse, where he also earned his Bachelor of Arts and Science in Psychology, he played in Major League Lacrosse for 17 years with the Long Island Lizards, Rochester Rattlers, Chesapeake Bayhawks, and Florida Launch; and he also competed indoors with the National Lacrosse League for 14 years as a member of the Rochester Knighthawks, Anaheim Storm, New York Titans, Boston Blazers, and Colorado Mammoth.
Winning player of the year and most valuable player recognitions in both leagues, Powell was selected to play on four United States National teams. He was captain of Team USA in 2006, 2011, and 2015.
Throughout his success as a competitor, Powell also found time to represent the lacrosse equipment makers Brine and Warrior; establish a global network of lacrosse camps with his two brothers; serve as assistant coach with the State University of New York at Cortland’s Division III National Champion lacrosse team; and provide expert National Lacrosse League coverage for Sirius Satellite Radio and the CBS Sports Network, among others.
More recently, Powell has been busy with his work as the founder of the Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation, which supports severely injured and sick lacrosse players, and as a video game entrepreneur, lending his name to several successful lacrosse titles for gaming consoles. He spent five years as head of lacrosse spring training at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, and with the help of his brothers launched the brand Powell Lacrosse, which designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance lacrosse sticks.
According to longtime CA Lacrosse Assistant Coach and P.E. instructor Dan Pratt, “I have known Casey for over 25 years, and I am thrilled that he has been named the Head of the CA Lacrosse program. We are very fortunate to have him joining us; I am very excited for the future of CA Lacrosse.”
Powell sees the game of lacrosse as a place to learn and appreciate the most valuable lessons in life. In his view, lacrosse is not limited to the elite athlete; it is about personal growth, relationships, and being a good teammate.
“I believe in the power of lacrosse to positively impact lives,” he says, “and I am dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every player can thrive. I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by Colorado Academy, and I cannot wait to get started on this incredible journey with the CA community.”