By Jennifer Buckley
The spring lacrosse season may just be getting underway in Bedford, but one thing is already certain – the spirit and memory of Mike Hughes, a beloved pioneer of Bedford youth lacrosse, devoted coach, father and husband, has a strong presence on the field and beyond. This is the first lacrosse season without Mike, who lost a hard-fought battle with a rare disease last July.
Many remember, most of all his wife Diane, the beautiful spring day last year, when Mike was so proud to join his oldest son Max, then senior and BHS lacrosse player, at the senior night ceremony. He stood on the field with his family as they enjoyed the culmination of Max’s BHS lacrosse career and the recognition of Mike’s longtime involvement in the Bedford Youth Lacrosse League (BYLL).
Mike’s fellow BYLL board member and good friend Orna Miles remembers that day. “He sat at the sidelines and he had words of encouragement for every single player as they rotated off the field, calling them all by name. He is very missed in our community.”
Mike’s legacy continues with his younger son Sam, a sophomore at BHS, as he and his lacrosse teammates take the field this season with his father’s initials, “MH,” on their helmets. Mike was also actively involved in coaching boys’ soccer and basketball over the years. This past fall the BHS boys’ teams also paid tribute by wearing arm bands with his initials.
Derek Johnson, a former student who was coached by Mike and now works at JGMS, now coaches for the BHS Varsity team. Derek began playing the first year BYLL was created. “We practiced down at FAM camp on a patch of dirt. Mike Hughes was one of my coaches. One of the first to teach me how to throw, teach me how to shoot, teach me the difference between a middie and an attackman. He coached me from 5th grade all the way up to 8th grade. I’ll never forget the wooden stick he had, we all thought it was so cool. It’s pretty surreal to be coached by a guy who had an impact on me as a lacrosse player and as a young boy, and then 15 years later be coaching his kids. One of my fondest memories of Mike will always be the day last season that he was able to see Sam score four goals in a single game right before he passed, he was so proud that day.”
Cheryl Johnson, Derek Johnson’s mother, has similar fond memories from the past 20 years. “I remember meeting Mike when my kids were just starting lacrosse. Mike was volunteering as a coach and he didn’t even have kids of his own yet. He loved being on the field with the boys and showing them what he knew. As the years went on and my kids grew up, whenever we would see Mike he was just as kind and caring as the day we met on the lacrosse field. His love for the kids was unconditional and he was a friend to everyone. My kids have continued to play lacrosse and my son Derek is so lucky to have the opportunity to coach Mike’s boys, which just goes to show the passion for the game he instilled in those kids.”
Tim Higgins, who coached with Mike for several years remembers, “A number of us dads, myself included, knew very little about the game. Mike was one of the few of us who had actually played the game and understood its rules and nuances. His love of the sport was infectious. He encouraged us all to get training, and pointed us to the resources. He encouraged the kids and coaches to attend college and major league games, and helped organize trips. Mike was one of the people who put the sport on the map in Bedford. The recent success that the high school lacrosse teams have enjoyed is no accident. Our youth teams have gotten stronger and stronger, so that the skill level of our players is more highly developed by the time they reach high school.” Tim also pointed to BYLL founders Brian Bartkus and Brian DeVellis for their team work in elevating the sport in town.
Derek Billouin, a fellow coach and close friend, remembers meeting Mike when he moved to Bedford 10 years ago when Mike coached his oldest son. “Typical of Mike, he was very comforting and welcoming not only to my son but to my family. From that point on we spent a lot of time together during youth soccer, lacrosse and basketball. Not only was he a positive and caring person of great character. He cared not only for the kids but was so proud of his boys and loved his family.”
Bedford Lacrosse Parent Jeffrey Chun recalled, “In 2009, my eldest son, Kai, started on a youth lacrosse team that Mike coached for the town. I remember so vividly how much the kids enjoyed playing the game. They ran laps, conducted drills, did pushups, and practiced passes in the cold spring evening weather. At the time, I knew nothing about the sport and Mike was always ready to share his knowledge with me. As a parent of a smaller kid on the team, I thought it was a bit scary seeing the kids run around with these big sticks and throwing these really really solid lacrosse balls! They enjoyed every minute of it and I enjoyed watching! Mike was always right there in the middle of it, hauling a million balls and other equipment, giving pep talks, and organizing the kids so they all felt grounded and safe. He gave every kid a chance to participate and be recognized on the team. He was a coach whom the kids looked up to and trusted, so they just enjoyed learning the game so much! We all miss Coach Mike.”
Many parents, such as friend Sara Miller, say that Mike was as much a gentleman off the field as he was on. “He was kind and we all enjoyed his sense of humor, we still can hear his laugh when we continue to tell Mike stories and keep his memory in our hearts. In contrast to his calm and quiet demeanor in our home it was so funny to see the contrast of his loud coaching bellow on the lax sidelines. Even last year during a BHS lax game he was able to be heard by our son Avi, encouraging him as Avi was running by him on the sidelines. Mike didn’t have a ton of strength at the time, but he made sure he used it to encourage a kid he had a strong bond with. It meant a lot to Avi and our family. We adored Mike and miss our friend dearly.”
Orna Miles speaks fondly of Mike’s dedication. “I really enjoyed working with Mike. He was very serious about his commitment to BYLL. He was obviously super dedicated to the Board and the game and the league. He was the first to volunteer to help with anything, whether it be coaching, helping store nets and equipment at the end of the season or going grocery shopping for a celebratory fundraiser for the league. He had high standards for the performance of the Board of BYLL and was a big part of the reason it functioned so well for so many years. He was a pleasure to serve and I missed working with him when his boys aged out of the program. As a coach, he was tough and had high expectations for the boys. He expected them to take practice time and the game seriously and to give it their best effort, just like he did. He was perfect!“
Former President of BYLL Dan Walsh remembers Mike’s excellence as a coach. “I met Mike Hughes 10 years ago when I volunteered to become a U9 coach for Bedford Youth Lacrosse. Mike’s son Sam was a first grade U9 along with my son Chris. At the time I had no idea that we would work so closely together for the next eight years, teaching, managing and promoting the game of lacrosse to Bedford youth. Mike was very knowledgeable about lacrosse and had a unique way to deliver his instructions to the kids. The young players learned to focus when coach Mike spoke. He would raise and lower his voice to keep the attention of the wild little lax players. He challenged them to work on their fundamentals of catching and throwing. His practice plans were well organized and fun. He was always open to input from me as the other coach. As the years went on and as the number of players increased at our level we would split the teams on Sunday game day but always return to a combined practice during the week. Mike had a deeper understanding of the game of lacrosse than most. He brought that to his players and developed their lacrosse IQ. While running a scrimmage he would shout ’stop!’ And then proceed to methodically break down the play development for the young player to understand. He was always full of positive criticism but never rewarded complacency. His players were fortunate to experience his knowledge and skill.
“Mike joined me as a board member of BYLL. We worked together with the other board members to expand the lacrosse program. Winter practice, skill sessions, new uniforms, new equipment, additional games, end of the year carnival and season-ending jamboree became the outline of the BYL program. Most of these ideas were developed after practice while we stood in the dark in the middle of H field. We would have long conversations about strategy and player development while Sam and Chris would throw the ball around waiting to go home for dinner. I would run my ideas for the program by Mike as I could always count on him for sound practical direction. These are my fondest memories of my time with Mike.
“Our sons still play lacrosse today. Sam and Chris play for Bedford High School and in the summer they are teammates for HGR lacrosse. The whole group of BYLL players that Mike developed are now in the prime of their high school lacrosse careers. It amazes me the number years that these kids will play the same sport together. A great friendship bond has been formed. They still love the game and no doubt learned some life lessons as they progressed through the years. Coach Mike Hughes had a lasting influence on these players and will always be in my memories as well.”
Perhaps Derek Billouin sums up best what those who knew and loved Mike already know. “He left his mark on the town’s lacrosse program. My son and many boys in town now love to play the sport because of him. I miss him every day, but I know that I’m not alone.”
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