Maplewood Lacrosse

News and Views

Lax Links

An Interview with Dave Brothers, Head Lacrosse Coach of Columbia High School

David Brothers has more than 25 years of playing and coaching experience. Currently Head Coach at Columbia High School (his alma mater), Brothers coaches both Lacrosse and Wrestling. He was voted Coach of the Year--2003 by the NJ Division of Coaches. Brothers was part osf the 1st Team All Gibbs Division of 1985 while at Columbia, and played in the North-South High School All Star Game. He also played Varsity Lacrosse at Rutgers University (1986-1989).

When did you start playing lacrosse?

I started playing lacrosse in 7th grade. I played both baseball and lacrosse in the 7th and 8th grades but then decided to concentrate on lacrosse. It was a no-brainer. Lacrosse was (and is) a lot more fun and the Columbia High School team was awesome. My younger brothers followed my lead. I also wrestled and played football at CHS for 4 years

What highlights stand out in your lacrosse career ?

The highlight of my Columbia High School career was beating Lawrenceville in the Coaches Tournament Championship. They had beaten us during the year for the Drake Cup and were absolutely loaded. We won Game 2 by a score of 9-4.

The highlight of my senior year was beating #1 Westfield by a score of 16-13 just after being upset by Clark by a score of 7-6. We had lost the #1 ranking because of the loss to Clark and Westfield had taken the top spot for a day before we beat them.

My freshman year at Rutgers was the best of my 4 years in college. We beat Army, Maryland, and CW Post in one day during our fall classic. This was an amazing indoctrination to Division 1 lacrosse.

What are your thoughts about the relationship between Maplewood Lacrosse and Columbia High School?

My wish is that the youth program continues to attract kids and grow and for the players to attend Columbia High School!

Coaches

Neil Goldstein
Nick Rabiecki
Steve Ramos

Neil Goldstein: Neil started playing Lacrosse as a freshman at CCNY where he played middie and attack during his first three years in college. In his senior year, he switched to goalie. At the end of the season, he ranked among the top 10 in the country in saves and was selected as the First Team All-League goalie for Division 1, Metropolitan New York. In 1969, Neil played in the Division I College North-South game. After graduation, he played for one season with the NY Lacrosse Club and 5 seasons with the NJ Lacrosse Club. Neil’s coaching experience includes 3 years as a Graduate Assistant for Rutgers Lacrosse and one year as Head Coach of Rutgers Prep. During the 2004 season, he coached the CHS goalies and was assistant coach on the Maplewood Lacrosse 3-4 team. Neil is currently coaching the 5th graders and hopes to work with the youth and HS goalies in the spring.

Nick Rabiecki: Growing up in Scarsdale NY, Nick played lacrosse as a youth and in High School where he was the captain of his HS team. He played defense and earned All-League honors. Nick was recruited to play for Navy but suffered a career ending knee injury, cutting short what many say (mostly people who know nothing about lacrosse) was a promising future in the game. Last year, he coached the 8th grade team and is presently coaching the 5th graders. Nick currently serves as the President of the Maplewood Lacrosse Club.