It’s a milestone decades in the making, accomplished through relentless hard work, careful preparation, and a pure love for the game – and the unwavering commitment of a dedicated leader who brought out the best in his players for more than three decades.
Niskayuna lacrosse coach Mike Vorgang led his varsity team to its 500th win on Tuesday; a proud accomplishment his past players say was a long time coming.
“He is a leader in every sense of the word,” said 2006 graduate Noah Fossner. “He set a standard regarding what it means to be a Niskayuna lacrosse player and has masterfully pushed every young man to meet that standard and push the limits of their potential.”
“I could have told you in ‘94 that this was only a matter of time. Not if, but when,” said Dave Lippiello, who played under Coach Vorgang as he led student-athletes to their first ever sectional championship in 1995.
Coach Vorgang is synonymous with Niskayuna lacrosse. Head coach since the program started in 1993, Vorgang has led players through 31 varsity seasons, 20 sectional titles from 25 appearances, nine regional championships, three state semi-final wins, and one state title.
WATCH: Beyond 500: A tribute to Mike Vorgang
“Coach Vorgang made it cool to work hard,” explained Jeff Bryan, alumni lacrosse player from the class of 2000. “He didn’t want people on his team who weren’t going to be focused and work at being better as individuals and teammates, and the results speak for themselves.”
No matter what era you may have played for Coach Vorgang, you learned lessons that stick with you for life. Those who know him call his passion contagious, and his intensity an inspiration for players to give their all each time they step foot on the field.
“The drive to get better and to be the best you can be as an individual and a collective doesn’t get vocalized much, it’s just something that you live day in and day out, whether it’s at practice, in a game, or on a day off,” added 2010 Niskayuna grad Ryan Alden, now a doctor who works with cancer patients. “As a result I think I was prepared to handle a lot of challenging experiences in life.”
“As great of a coach as you are, know that you are a better person,” Derek Raeder, class of 1996, wants Vorgang to know. “Your impact on the people that you’ve coached will and has served them well, long past any athletic field.”
By investing in his players, teaching them accountability, and sparking in them the drive to be the best they can, Vorgang built a strong community – a community that is overjoyed to reciprocate the support and gratitude he’s shown them, to help celebrate this accomplishment of 500 wins.
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