Cherry Creek hires Matt Bocklet as head lacrosse coach
GREENWOOD VILLAGE — Cherry Creek named Matt Bocklet its head lacrosse coach on Tuesday.
“Our candidate pool as a whole was arguably the strongest I’ve ever seen for any sport here at (Cherry Creek),” Cherry Creek athletic director Jason Wilkins said. “Matt’s character, his coaching prowess, his dedication to the sport, obviously his resume. Things like that put him ahead of everybody else.”
Bocklet inherits a defending-champion Bruins team that graduated 13 seniors — most notably Asher Nolting, the Class 5A player of the year.
“I want to win. I compete to win championships,” Bocklet said. “It’s what I do in my own playing career and in my coaching career. Cherry Creek has a tradition of being one of the top athletic programs and schools in the state.
“Being around a program like that is where I’ve always seen myself and where I want to be.”
Bocklet takes over for longtime coach Brian Perry, who retired after the 2017 season. Perry led Cherry Creek to ten championship games and five title wins, and is believed to be the all-time wins leader for the sport with 258.
“I don’t know if I’m going to fill his shoes,” Bocklet said. “I’m going to strive for excellence the same way that he did. The end goal will still be the same. I’ve spoken to coach Perry a couple of times. I’m going to continue to look for guidance from him.”
Last season at Highlands Ranch, Bocklet’s team went 9-7. In his six years leading the Falcons, Bocklet was 53-41.
He is also the team captain for the Denver Outlaws.
“We’re playing for a championship this Saturday, so that will tell a lot,” Bocklet said about his future with the Outlaws. “That game will decide a lot of things. I haven’t really thought about it all that much, but when that season ends, I’ll take some time to make that decision.”
Bocklet’s accolades with the Outlaws include four MLL All-Star selections (2009, 2010, 2011, 2016) and two All-MLL team selections (2009, 2010).
He sits in third place for most ground balls in MLL history with 567.
“There were people on the committee that said, ‘During his interview, I was on the edge of my seat, beyond excited,'” Wilkins said.
