Jonny Vegas #45

JONNY VEGAS #45

    My name is Jon Namer, but most people know me as Jonny Vegas(www.Facebook.com/Vegas45)(www.Twitter.com/@JonnyVegas45). I started playing lacrosse when I was 14 years old in the 8th grade(2001/2002). Lacrosse is more than just a sport for me. Lacrosse is my passion and a way of life for me. My first year playing lacrosse was in a brand new league called, The Conejo Valley Lacrosse League(CVLL). I played for a team called, The Goonies, which was fitting since we didn’t win a single game that season! But, not winning a single game didn’t deter me away from the sport. I knew right away that I will play lacrosse for the rest of my life. My freshman year of high school was a very impactful year! I was diagnosed with Brain Cancer at the age of 15. You can read my story here: Jonny Namer’s Life and Lacrosse Story. CANCER, is a very scary word especially for a freshman in High School. I always kept a positive attitude even through all the surgeries, and treatments I had to endure. My brain tumor was on my brain stem and that meant it was inoperable but tratable with Chemotherapy and Radiation. Believe it or not, I still wanted to play lacrosse that year! Even though I wasn’t allowed to play, I was still a part of my team. I was at every game with my jersey on, bald head, standing on the sidelines with my team, and cheering them on. My team says I was the Heart and Soul of the team that year!  The summer prior to my sophmore year of high school, I was 1 month free of Cancer and I was allowed to play lacrosse again. I played for the first ever Westlake High School Lacrosse Club Team. At the end of my senior year of high school in 2006, I was awarded the 110% Award, which is now officially renamed The Jon Namer Award. The Jon Namer Award is awarded to a player that displays great sportsmanship in and out of practices and games, never argues with teammates and coaches, and always gives 110% effort in practices and games. At the end of every spring season, I give a speech and present the Award to the most deserving player.

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

           After I graduated from Westlake High School, I played lacroose for California Lutheran University in 2007. I had a lot of fun playing with that team. From 2008-2011, I played lacrosse for the Beverly Hills Bucks(Men’s Post-Collegiate lacrosse team). From 2011-present, I’ve been playing on Team LAX. I also play in Tournaments all over the country with the following teams: Team AWESOME, Salt Shakerz, TOTAL LACROSSE, and Team ALOHA. I play in tournaments in Honolulu, Hawaii, New York City, New York, San Diego, California, Santa Barbara, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and Fresno, California. 

COACHING

     I began my lacrosse coaching career in the summer of 2007. I coached in a summer league, fall league, and a winter league for ages 3rd grade-12th grade. Spring of 2008, From 2008-2011, I was an Assistant Coach for the Westlake Lacrosse Club’s 5th and 6th grade teams. From 2011-present, I’m the Head Lacrosse Coach for two teams out of the Westlake Lacrosse Club. I coach at camps, all-star teams for the Los Angeles Mavericks.

AWARDS

-2010. Salt Shakerz MVP after we wen’t 6-0 and won the Men’s Open Championship at the Las Vegas Lacrosse Showcase 2010

-2011, The Jon Namer Award was officially created

-2011, Laxallstars.com named me in the top 5 for the first annual Grow The Game Award

-February, 2012, Laxallstars.com awarded me the first Game Grower of the month

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