Matt Holtz Hired at Detroit Mercy

by **lgriemsman** on Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:02 am

Michigan State Lacrosse will lose one of it's biggest friends as Matt Holtz takes the helm of the new University of Detroit Mercy lacrosse team.

For the official announcement see:
http://www.collegelax.us/wordpress/?p=5774

Holtz was integral in the reformation of the Spartan Club Lacrosse team in 1993. The original club formed in 1963 had been turned into a varsity program in 1970. Matt arrived in East Lansing and revived the club team as an alternative to the varsity program in existence at the time.

MSU athletics dropped the varsity program when the Title IX/budget crunch took place in the Fall of 1996. The varsity faction boycotted the 1997 season as many on the team transferred to schools back east to play out their eligibility.

The club that Matt started was then the only option for Spartan Laxers. Players like Matt, James Brunk, and Owen Blank fathered a strong club tradition behind great coaches like Dale Hall and George Counes.

Michigan State Lacrosse was an original member in the formation of the CCLA and USLIA, eventually leading to US Lacrosse, Men's Division Intercollegiate Associates.

Put the old images of club ball aside and understand that intercollegiate associates are doing everything the varsity teams are doing, but are often doing it themselves with limited financial aid from the school.

Times are changing in Michigan and around the nation because of people like Matt Holtz. He will be missed, but he will not be forgotten. Michigan State Lacrosse wishes Matt the best as he moves on.

**Sponsor**

by **wheelz33** on Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:23 pm

big congrats to coach holtz. a great opportunity and couldn't go to a more deserving guy or a better coach.

by **cgarrigues** on Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:38 pm

Congratulations, Matt!