Don Jones Kiddie Lax Est. 2016
Don Jones Kiddie Lax was created in honor of the late Don Jones whom, unexpectedly passed in 2015. He was an integral part of the Chester Mendham Lacrosse program. The Jones family established the Kiddie Lax Program in his honor and to carry out his mission to evolve the CMLAX program. The program provides all new Kindergarteners their first lacrosse stick. Don firmly believed “If you just get the stick into the child’s hand at an early age and make it FUN they will fall in love with the game”. In addition to starter equipment, new joiners get six weeks of learn to play lacrosse sessions. These sessions are filled with the sound of children giggling with excitement while learning game FUNdamentals of lacrosse. This is the exact spirit of lacrosse that Don wanted everyone to experience.
About Don and CMLax
Growing up Don played box lacrosse growing up in Canada. He was also a member of the Montclair State Lacrosse Team. The Jones family first joined CMLax community when their son Trevor was in 2nd grade. The 2nd/3rd grade program was getting off the ground. The coaches used whatever was available including plastic sticks and bike helmets. It was FUN! It accomplished the job of “Getting the stick into a child’s hands”. When it came time for Trevor to join the 4th grade team Don embraced the role of being the head coach for the 4th and 5th grade boys team.
Don was a CM Lax coach for 10 years. The first 5 years he went on to develop and guide an amazing group of boys that included his son Trevor all the way through 8th grade. Don was always thinking about what the teams needed to learn/know/do to be successful at the next level. The 8th grade team practice emulated the high school team’s practice. This made for a successful transition. He also helped foster girls’ lacrosse, where he played the role of dad having one on one father daughter lacrosse time.
Striving to be at the next level meant much more than a structured practices. Don fostered a sense of community within the lacrosse world. He organized various outings to Mendham high school games as well as college Final Four lacrosse game. Mr. and Mrs. Jones attended all of their son’s high school and college game. The numbers speak for themselves 12 of the 8th grader boys players that Don mentored went on to play lacrosse in college at D1,D2, or D3 colleges. CM Lax gave the fundamentals to be successful at the next level.
After his son finished college Don jumped back in CMLax for another 5 years! This time he focused his efforts on the 8th grade program. This allowed him to implement lessons learned from years of coaching and observing. He had a well thought-out plan to make the program everything it needed to be for his grandchildren to join and be equip with the tools to win a state championship: FUNdamentals, community, and leveling-up.
Don Jones CM LAX FUNdamentals:
- FUNdamentals – “Get the stick in the child’s hand and with time it will become an extension of the body”
- Leveling-Up - Provide next level coaching and support.
- Community – CMLax is always supporting you! It’s a club you are in forever! No matter if you play in hs or college it’s a community build upon support!
Visionary Coach
Don was an all-star coach whom made it a point to “develop every player at every level”. He gave the game an immeasurable amount of dedication through years of commitment, planning, continuous education, and love. It has paid itself forward 10-fold providing a program for ALL children to fall in love with the game. Spring 2025 four of his grandchildren will be member of CMLAX. We are forever grateful for his contributions.
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