Testimonial

212 Testimonial by Greg Bauer

May 17, 2021 by MJ

My family has been part of Mike’s 212 program since he started his program in Park City. It was created here to fill a void in the club experience here in Utah. Previous attempts by other programs have come and gone, but 212 remains a steady presence for the youth players in Utah. Coaches with Mike’s credentials and connections are hard to find in this part of the country, and I feel we are lucky to have had Mike’s continued presence for so many years.

I have coached at the youth level for 10 years here, and helped run the boys program for almost as long. I am always asked about clubs, and more specifically how to navigate the sport given the many expensive options available these days. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but distinguishing between training and simply playing games is a good start. The summer training that has been taking place at Jeremy Ranch has definitely helped my son (Johns Hopkins commit) develop skills and field sense that simply cannot be learned playing only spring ball. Last night’s High School State Semi Final game between Park City and Juan Diego featured about 10 players that have spent significant time training through the summers with Mike. All were starters, and generally were the core of their respective teams. I feel it is good training and a good value when compared to the money you would spend to travel to a 3 day tournament with any other club.

Mike has also been invaluable in my son’s pursuit of playing college lacrosse. He has been a reliable advocate for Dylan, and has worked as a go between with interested schools. He is on a first name basis with many of the more well known D1 coaches in the sport, something you would not expect living in Utah.

With many national club coaches trying to place 50 or 100 players in colleges it is nice to have a local coach who is only working with a half dozen kids at a time.

Mike’s focus on issues larger than the game has been an area I have long admired. He has brought health problems affecting former players to light, a reminder that there are bigger things than what is going on in a lacrosse game.

My son continues to benefit from the foundation he built in the 212 program.

Greg Bauer

212 Testimonial – Lauren Thierry

July 11, 2020 by MJ

Mike Acee was the right coach at the right time for my son, Luke.

We were not a “lacrosse family.” But when son Luke was drawn to the sport “late” in his youth (12), we studied up, asked a lot of questions back East, and liked the answers we got about Mike from his Long Island roots, Long Island being a lax hotbed.

Mike welcomed Luke to his lacrosse family from the get go. With his affable nature yet high standards, he gained Luke’s trust quickly. From there all good things showed up in my son: A solid work ethic, a devotion, and a passion to achieve at a high level. The experience would go on to inform his approach to all athletics, friend selection, academics and beyond.

Mike covers it all: old school reps combined with new techniques that made each player responsible for his own success, and by extension, the team’s success. Mike seems to pull from all the playbooks, switching out as necessary. I saw it kept the team on its toes, and anyone wanting to learn the “why” behind his directives was patiently and enthusiastically debriefed.

Mike’s 212 culture is the stuff of a Hollywood movie: A brotherhood that pushed them forward to tourneys throughout the West. When 212 would walk onto a field (Sandstorm in Palm Springs comes to mind), it was like a movie voiceover saying, “The Competition Has Arrived.”

Mike can create that, drawing that delicate balance of “I’m your coach. I am not your friend. Even though I like you guys a hell of a lot.”

It’s not easy to walk that line, but Acee does it, with his team and with the parents sitting in those folding chairs.

Mike is always willing to discuss a play, a position, a decision. He could bring it down to how my kid fit into those decisions, but was still always willing to hear me out.

Turns out… (hate to say it), Mike was always right. If being right means that my kid is now a strong, confident, coachable college-lacrosse bound young man, who just happens to be happiest when he is on the lax turf.

Thanks Mike!

-Lauren Thierry
Mom of Luke

212 Testimonial – Marc Billanti

December 2, 2019 by MJ

We moved to town in 2012 and my son, a kindergartener, joined Mike’s 212 summer training program. Over past seven years, he’s never missed a summer and I’ve watched him go from an eager kid who was looking to have fun in his early years, to a skilled player with high Lax IQ under Mikes guidance. Mike has provided my son with candid feedback on what he needs to develop to elevate his game to the next level. Mike poses the coaching credentials and experience that are proven in developing many of top players in UT and out west.

I’ve spent time as a youth coach in Park City for a number of years and the biggest attraction to the 212 program is value. In todays world with so many club teams and camps to attend, parents often asked me. what I would recommend? For the spend of money, it’s paramount to have developed technical stick skills and field awareness before you spend excess money on travel club teams or camps. I attend a few workouts each summer at Jeremy ranch to watch the “grass roots” approach that Mike and his staff work the kids through. What you’ll witness is fun, attention to detail, high repetition workouts that will lead to development and ultimately play out in game/tournaments as the kids get older.

It’s exciting to watch the evolution of my son Vince and his teammates (Many who have been playing for 212 lacrosse since they were beginners) can continue the legacy of great High School/College lacrosse players from Park City,UT.

Thanks Mike and look forward to the journey ahead.

-Marc Billanti

Orlando Family Testimonial

June 11, 2017 by MJ

Testimonial to Mike Acee

Professionalism, honesty and integrity are words that best describe coach Mike Acee. His passion for the game of lacrosse and his commitment to young athletes is evident and consistent. His encouraging yet firm coaching style sets him apart as an exemplary lacrosse “educator”. Coach Mike truly “leads by example” with humility and passion for the game. Mike’s influence on young athletes both on and off the field is stellar.

Coach Acee made our son Gianni’s college lacrosse recruiting process a true pleasure. He demonstrated swift follow-up while acting as a true liaison between Gianni and the US Air Force Academy coaches. Mike handled every detail with care and remained mindful of all appropriate recruiting etiquette and protocol.

Our family cannot truly express our unending gratitude to coach Mike for all he has done and we are looking forward to attending future events with the 212 family. The core group of 212 families has been warm and welcoming. These events are filled with laughter and excitement. The “true” spirit of the game of lacrosse is apparent. We are so pleased that our sons are a part of this organization. They are encouraged to play the sport they love and they are also building friendships and memories that will last for a lifetime.

Gianni Orlando – D1 Commit

-Tonya and Bobby Orlando

Paige Pierce Testimonial

July 24, 2016 by MJ

Grant Pierce Signs National Letter of Intent

The only time I cried today was when Grant was speaking with you (and right now) because — and I know I have said it before, but this is what the truth is — you changed the course of Grant’s life. Without you the handshake today between Richie & Grant would not have happened, nor would all of the other offers he has received. That’s just the plain, simple truth, Mike. When you two were talking today it all washed over me — all of the hours you spent with him, with ME (helping me in every way), all of the overwhelming work Grant put in over these years, all of the other coaches who never believed in him, and the one man who did — YOU! And all of the love you have given Grant along the way. You are an amazing man and both Grant & I will love you forever, Mike.

-Paige Pierce

Alison Adams Testimonial

July 24, 2016 by MJ

Mike,

I know you don’t know me well. I’ve only met you a time or two — at a game or picking Ben up from practice. Ian usually has the privilege of lacrosse duty while I do cheer and dance with our daughter, Kate. But I have had the rare opportunity of being with Ben this week for lacrosse stuff in Colorado Springs so Ian can put in a few days at work, and it has been such a positive experience.

Because I’m not usually the “lacrosse parent,” I have felt a little out of my element. But I just felt the need to share with you my experience on the sidelines, and thank you for all you have done for our family and our son, Ben.

I am so grateful for the reputation you have created for 212 lacrosse and for Ben’s affiliation with you. As I sit on the sidelines, feeling like such a novice, it has been incredible for me to hear the positive responses from parents when they ask who Ben plays for.

As soon as I mention your name, or 212 lacrosse out of Park City, there is instant and positive feedback. I hear about the great connections you are building and the positive and professional way you coach. You have created such a great and positive reputation.

As Ben’s mom, I have always been aware of Ben’s strengths and weaknesses, and I have often wondered if we were sending him in the right direction. As I sit here today, I am so appreciative of the role you have played in Ben’s life.

Regardless of what happens in the future, whether Ben plays lacrosse in college or not, I know that he is going to be a better person, husband, professional, father, because of his experiences with lacrosse. Thank you for taking Ben under your wing, and thank you for being patient with him and helping him grow. Thank you for providing a lacrosse experience we can all be very proud of. As a mom, that is absolutely priceless.

So, getting back to the game now. Sorry for any typos – I’m typing with thumbs through the glaring afternoon sun – but it is awesome.

Thank you!
Alison Adams

Sent from my iPhone