In New York State and, indeed, the nation, Mike Messere has few equals as a high school lacrosse coach. His West Genesee High teams have become synonomous with excellence. Since becoming head coach in 1976, his squads have posted an unbelievable 213-9 won-lost record, which includes four undefeated state championship teams, tying the national lacrosse record with 91 consecutive victories, and experiencing only one season with more than a single defeat.
The 1983 national champion Syracuse University squad had no less than 12 of Messere's West Genesee grads on its roster - including five All-Americans. Over the years, his program has produced 21 high school All-Americans and 21 collegiate All-Americans. Messere's lacrosse charges include some of the finest lacrosse competitors in the United States today. Three former pupils were on the U.S. Team in the 1986 World Games in Toronto.
"The success I have had is a direct result of the educational and athletic experiences I received at Cortland," said Messere, twice Section Three Coach of the Year and a gold medal winning coach at the Empire State Games. "The academic challenge at Cortland provided me with a well-rounded background that has allowed me to deal intellectually within the total educational system," said Messere. "I was continually amazed with my instructors' ability to evaluate performance and make appropriate corrections. They strived for and only accepted perfection."
An outstanding athlete himself at West Genesee High in the early 1960's, Messere played lacrosse all four seasons at SUNY Cortland. In 1965, he was manager for the Red Dragons gymnastics team. As a senior, he was house president for Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity and editor of the SUNY Cortland student directory. Messere earned his B.S.E. in physical education from Cortland in 1966.
He returned to Syracuse teaching elementary physical education in the city school district. From 1968-1974 he taught health and physical education at West Genesee Junior High. Since 1975, he has taught physical education at the senior high, serving as interim athletic director in 1983. Success has followed Messere at every level. He has a 44-2 record as a freshman lacrosse coach, an 87-13 record in junior varsity football, and 58-21-19 in junior varsity soccer.
Messere founded and directs the Shove Park Developmental and Recreational Lacrosse Program, which had grown from 13 participants and four recreational box lacrosse teams in 1974 to 490 participants and 30 box lacrosse squads a decade later.
Messere and his wife, Barbara, have two children.
