Coaches

Coach Gray is originally from Harford County Maryland where lacrosse is a way of life.  Coach Gray attended John Carroll High School in Bel Air Maryland and played for Coach Boo Smith who was a Schmeisser Award winner at Virginia.  At John Carroll, he was a 3-year starter at midfield and won a MIAA “B” conference championship.  Coach Gray attended Gettysburg College and played short stick defensive midfield for the legendary coach, Hank Janczyk.  A car accident, and several surgeries, hindered Coach Gray’s college playing career but not his knowledge of the game.  He continues to spread his love of the game by also coaching club lacrosse for ULTRA PA and teaching the box lacrosse game to young players in Central PA.  Coach Gray lives in Hershey with his wife Sarah, daughter Evy and 3 sons that play for Lower Dauphin, Will (HS), Tucker (U14) and Farren (U12).

Coach Hess is originally from Wernersville, PA, where he went to Conrad Weiser HS. Coach Hess lives in Grantville with his wife Angela, daughter Addison, son Gavin(U14), and his dog, Utley (14U team mascot).

He started coaching lacrosse in 2019 with Hershey but transitioned over to Lower Dauphin in 2020 to help grow that program since his son will be playing there in HS. He has continued coaching for LD ever since. Before and during those years, he coached many youth teams for both his son and his daughter including soccer, baseball, and basketball.

Soccer has been his true passion ever since he was 5 years old. He played at recreational levels to club levels (Reading Berks), Varsity all 4 years in HS and at Millersville University. He has also been officiating soccer for over 10 years at all levels from U-10 to the Big Ten Collegiate Conference (as well as some semi-professional level games).

Coaching Philosophy: I often say I don’t coach Lacrosse, I coach confidence. My goal is to empower each of my players to reach their full potential and exceed their athletic abilities by learning what motivates them and then challenging them to improve both on and off the field. I have never had a losing record in lacrosse, but the real victory for me is when my players come back the next season.

Coach McConnell, originally from Altoona, PA is also a veteran of the Army National Guard. He has coached almost every sport/activity that his kids have been involved in - including t-ball, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, flag football, mountain biking, and lacrosse! Unfortunately, lacrosse was not available where Coach grew up, but he played many other sports. Coach McConnell and his wife Jen, have five children - Hannah, Emma, Ben, Jake, and Sarah. He coaches to share his love of sports with all players and to be able to spend additional time with his kids. He wants the boys to learn to work together as a team - no one player is ever able to win a game by themselves. Additionally, all kids can and should learn that they control their attitude, effort and the way they treat others. Coach McConnell loves getting to coach each of his kids and being able to see them and their teammates improve from the beginning of the season to the end! 

Coach Meredith works at Milton Hershey School as a Behavioral Support Specialist. She has  been around the sport of lacrosse since she was 8 years old. Her father, Larry Thomas, started the lacrosse program at Lower Dauphin and coached high school boys for 10 years. Coach Meredith started off playing men's lacrosse until a women's program was started at Lower Dauphin.  She also played collegiate lacrosse at Kutztown University and then returned to LD as an assistant and then a head coach for the women's program. She was selected as Central Penn women's coach of the year during her time as head coach at LD.  She has a step-son on 14u and another step-son on 12u, as well as a 5 year old daughter (who is often seen being her "assistant").  Coach Meredith shares that she is really excited for this season!

Coach Buehner, originally from Minersville, PA, has coached several years of youth baseball and basketball before coming to lacrosse. Coach Buehner began coaching lacrosse last year and under the supervision and leadership of Nate Buchanan, he was introduced to and taught the basics of lacrosse. He has enjoyed every moment on the lacrosse field.

Coach Buehner, who has played many different sports (youth soccer, baseball, basketball, wrestling, baseball) lives in Hummelstown with his wife, Jen, and their sons, Clayton and Gavin.

Coach Buehner loves being able to help and teach players of all ages. He enjoys seeing them develop and grow as not only individuals, but also as a TEAM.  He shared his favorite memory with us: “My favorite Lacrosse coaching moment was the final game of the season last year - LD vs CD East. We had lost to CD East 2 times earlier in the year. This time, our team was ready, they learned from their previous games and played extremely well. The game was tied forcing overtime, we then won on an amazing turnover fast break goal!!! The team stormed the field running and jumping. The boys were determined, and emotions of that game were amazing.”