Chris Mattes, "The Road Warrior"

Rutgers alumni, Florida Launch, Team Germany, UMD Coach, and of course, FOA Coach. How did you get introduced to all those big positions/opportunity's?

I grew up in Westfield NJ where I played for Westfield High School as well as Tri-State Lacrosse club team. From there I decided to attending Rutgers University. I thankfully was able to play all 4 years there and then given the opportunity to play in the MLL.

Team Germany was an awesome experience. Being that my grandparents were born in Germany I went over there for the tryouts in Frankfurt and then became part of the team. After the World Games I went over in September 2015 to give back to the program there and did Faceoff Academy camps in 6 different cities.

The Faceoff Academy was started by myself, Gurenlian, and Ragonese. We love to travel and spread the knowledge of the faceoff position and be mentors to all those in our FOArmy

How The Faceoff Academy (FOA), became what it is today?

The FOA has grown bigger and bigger everyday. The FOArmy is like a cult. There are guys from all over the country that have joined in and train within our system. The communicate with each other and work with each other. It has been great. We are excited to see it grow even more as time goes on.

List some of your greatest achievements from college, until now (I'm sure there is a lot) ... In college unfortunately as a team, we never made it to the tournament. That is something I really wish I had the opportunity to do. The biggest one for myself personally, in college would have to be earning, All American Honors, my senior year. Obviously, getting the opportunity to play at the highest level in the MLL, has been a dream come true. My next step is hopefully, making the MLL All Star Game and winning a championship with the Launch.

Where you grew up and were you are currently living now?

I grew up in Westfield NJ and am currently live in Baltimore, MD (Federal Hill area)

Different locations that you travel to help grow our sport?

Oh man, you name it I have probably been there. The FOA travels almost everywhere. I, myself have personally taken over areas like: Maryland, DC, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Denver, Austin TX, Atlanta, etc. I am more of the, "Rep of the South".

What your weekly schedule is like, traveling, training Faceoff athletes, and still keeping up with your personal career?

On a weekly basis, I am training faceoff guys with camps in the DMV area, whether its in Cockeysville, Bethesda, College Park, or Northern VA. I also currently accepted the volunteer job, at the University of Maryland. When I am not here, I am usually traveling to one of those other cities/states, to run a FOA camp.

You've certainly earned some, "Bragging Rights", so tell us about how you had the opportunity to train some of the best FOA athletes, from around the world.

I love it. Being able to travel around and work with faceoff guys from all these different areas is a privilege. I love nothing more then to work with athletes of all ages, that want to get better.

Where would you like to see the next MLL team?

Western...some place like California, needs a team again I think.

Where do you see our sport in the next 10 years?

Hopefully grown into schools like the SEC. I think if those schools had lacrosse, it would be much different.

Keep doing what you do, Chris! Lacrose Hub thanks you, for

making a difference in the lives of players and sharing the love (of lacrosse), with so many! You Rock!