Why Don Bosco?
Why should talented young student-athletes interested in pursuing a Catholic high school education, and their parents, place their trust in Don Bosco Prep, educationally, spiritually and athletically?
“First and foremost, we have a great track record of success,” said Matt Lane, who enters his first season as head coach of the Ironmen in 2024.
“I truly believe from being at other Catholic schools, that Don Bosco really has a great sense of brotherhood. It sounds almost corny but I can tell you from being on the campus the first time, and getting to know the guys in the program, getting to know the different club activities and just seeing all the different ways that Don Bosco athletes are involved in the community at the school is very different from a lot of other schools.
“On top of it all, I believe that compared to many of our competitors, our campus is far and away the nicest. It’s like a mini-college, being able to go from building to building and having the different opportunities whether it be in the business program, the arts program, robotics. Anything that any student could ever want, I truly believe, our school is able to give to them. And it provides a lot of opportunities for students to grow in the ways they want to and in the things they really care about. And
I think it all kind of comes together to make the best possible experience for a student-athlete.
“Yes, we’ve had a lot of recent success, including winning the 2021 State, Tournament of Champions, and Non-Public A State Championships. In addition to those titles, we’ve also won the county championship conference championship for three straight years against some great competition. The success kind of speaks for itself. We play a national schedule with a lot of high profile teams and programs from around the country. So our players have great opportunities to test themselves against the best.
“Don Bosco Lacrosse, from its start in 1992, has also been deeply rooted in the Salesian community by sharing the vision and values put in to practice by our school founder St. John Bosco. From the acts of service our athletes volunteer at each year to the overall welcoming culture of our program and community, we are able to provide an atmosphere for our young men to grow both spiritually and as great men of character. While the program has grown to accommodate student-athletes of all religious denominations, we have maintained that Salesian presence with the help of the school faculty, on-campus Salesian community and our coaching staff who are all dedicated to the development of our young athletes.”
In Matt Lane, the Ironmen are led by not only a familiar face, but a person who has also successfully played the game at the highest level of collegiate and high school lacrosse.
Prior to serving as offensive coordinator for the tradition-laden Ironmen program under heralded former head coach Brendan Gorman the last two seasons, Lane was an All-American midfielder for the 10-time National Champion Syracuse University Orange, serving as a team captain in his senior season of 2018.
In the classroom at Syracuse, the 6-6, 230-pound midfielder was also a member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll in each of his four years. In 2018, Lane completed his Bachelor's degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies with Minors in Marketing and Sport Management. While competing for the Orange as a fifth-year senior, he earned a Master's degree in advertising from the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Lane, who impressed Gorman as an assistant coach at rival St. Joseph’s Regional High School in 2021 before bringing him on staff, enjoyed one of the most dominant high school playing careers in recent North Jersey history, starring for Montclair-Kimberley Academy (MKA).
A 2015 U.S. Lacrosse All-American, Lane was Essex County and Montclair Kimberley’s all-time leading scorer with 337 points (155 goals, 182 assists.) As a senior, he notched 44 goals and 45 assists en route to earning 2013 Star Ledger Essex County Player of the Year honors. Lane led the Cougars to two NJISAA Prep B state championships and the 2012 NJSIAA Non-Public B state title. An All-New Jersey selection and member of the Gil Gibbs Senior All-Star Team, Lane also served as team captain while earning MVP honors.
In addition to his success on the lacrosse field, Lane, who works full-time as a real estate specialist, also competed on the MKA soccer and basketball for four seasons, leading the soccer team to consecutive
state titles while recording 52 career shutouts as the Cougars’ goalkeeper. On the hardwood, Lane poured in more than 900 points and pulled down over 1,000 rebounds during his basketball career.
While Lane perfectly understands the high standard of success expected from every one of Don Bosco Prep’s athletic teams, he’s extremely cognizant of the importance of his role as a leader of young men
within the structure of a Catholic preparatory school.
Asked what he is looking for in a prospective Ironman lacrosse player, Lane responded, “The first thing I’m looking for in a potential student-athlete is someone who is hard working. I’m always looking for the
hardest-working players on the field and in practice situations. That’s definitely the number one trait.”