While all of the boys’ lacrosse players are on the field, junior Duncan McIntyre is on the sideline, stepping up to be the boys’ volunteer club lacrosse coach.

McIntyre played lacrosse for the past three years, but after getting a concussion from a football injury, he needed to find an alternative.  McIntyre said he became qualified to be a coach from an online coaching certification course through the Minnesota Boys Scholastic Lacrosse Association.

“I am qualified to coach at all levels,” McIntyre said. “But the whole idea of having someone who is a player and a coach is definitely a lot different than having an adult coach.”

McIntyre said coaching is a different experience than playing on the field because he has new responsibilities such as leading the team.

“I have to hold myself to a different standard to referees of the games and to the parents of the team,” McIntyre said.  “It’s weird having a responsibility to be a leader.”

Because of his position as an assistant coach, there are limitations decreasing his influence on the players.

“Because I’m younger, I don’t think (the head coaches) would ever put me in a position where I had to be making a lot of decisions,” McIntyre said.

McIntyre said being given this opportunity has opened some new doors for him to use in the future.

“Coaching is something that is in my future,” McIntyre said. “I definitely want to give back to the sport that has helped me become who I am.”

Sophomore lacrosse player Matthew Howard said McIntyre is a great help because he knows the game well so he can assist the players.

“Duncan is always showing his support while being outgoing,” Howard said. “He helps the team practice by helping people individually.”

Head coach Kevin Reed said McIntyre is a great addition to the team and helps the players improve.

“Duncan is very dependable and very reliable and what he is bringing to the team is another set of eyes from the coaching box,” Reed said.

Reed said McIntyre’s spirit toward the team brings entertainment and also takes a lot of pressure off the players, making the head coaches input less intimidating.

“Duncan is extremely interactive.  He is always bringing energy to the field,” Reed said.

Although McIntyre is coaching, he does not get all the benefits that a certified coach would normally receive.

“Duncan is volunteering out of the goodness of his heart, we offered to pay him, but he wanted to keep his amateur status on a pro bono front,” Reed said.

Reed said although McIntyre is a certified coach, he is also a rostered and eligible player on the team this year.

“There is the possibility that number 32 will leave the coach’s box and hit the field for some live action,” Reed said.