New Cape Tech Lacrosse Coach St. John Brings Experience, Passion

BOURNE – Gibson St. John wants to turn Cape Cod Tech’s boys lacrosse program into a winner.

The Crusaders’ first-year coach is no stranger to the sport. While growing up in Maryland, St. John began playing lacrosse at a young age and learned the complexities of the sport while manning one of the most important positions on the field: goalie.

After his playing career, St. John coached underprivileged youth in Baltimore before moving to the Cape seven years ago. He continued to coach as an assistant at Monomoy and assisted Cape Tech head coach Brent Warren last year before he and Warren swapped places prior to this season.

“I worked with Monomoy for a year doing goalie training and then when I came over [to Cape Tech]. I helped Warren last year and then was lucky enough to get the job this year,” said St. John, who also works in the school as an IT instructor.

St. John inherits a program that has posted a combined record of 4-32 over the past two seasons, including an 0-18 mark last spring. He is eager to help the Crusaders gradually improve.

“Build a program, get kids engaged and get younger kids to try out,” he said of his goals. “Get a win, hopefully this year, and continue to get better every day.”

Although Cape Tech fell to 0-3 following a 7-1 loss at Upper Cape Tech on Friday, St. John felt the game was a step in the right direction. The Crusaders matched the Rams through the opening half and trailed just 2-1 at the end of the first quarter after junior Damien Cook netted the team’s lone goal.

“We got a lot more shots than we are used to, which is one thing we’ve been working on,” St. John said. “We just have to put the ball on the ground. Their goalie made a lot of good saves when we did take [low shots] but if we keep shooting them and shooting them, we’re going to be scoring goals soon.”

The first-year coach has also been encouraged by his team’s defense.

“Our defense has been phenomenal,” he said. “We just have to make sure that we get the ball on the other side to give our defense a break. My goalie play has improved and having 28 kids this year is really helping.”

While St. John has been pleased with what he has seen on the field, he’s also enjoyed the opportunity to grow closer with his players, some of whom he knows from in the classroom.

“It’s awesome,” St. John said. “Coaching is probably the best part about being a teacher. If you can teach and coach, you get to connect with not only the kids in your class but kids from all over the school. They learn to respect you in a different way and see you in a different light.”