Sports can fundamentally change what young athletes believe about themselves and what they can accomplish.  Brant Howell, a 2006 graduate and three-time state champion who later walked on at Notre Dame, discusses this often-overlooked aspect of youth sports.  

20 years after graduating, Brant heard about a coaching vacancy and moved across the country, from Maryland, to help coach Mercer Island because of how this community affected his life and instilled work ethic, discipline, values, and more. 

Howell contrasts how good youth programs focus on character and lifelong development over wins or accolades, in contrast with some current trends driven by money and college outcomes. 

Brant remembers a life-changing, hard moment during the 2006 season, when Mercer Island overcame a difficult early start and ultimately won for the first time ever on Bainbridge Island, and the lifelong lessons players learned about rigor, humility, and resilience. 

He explains why players should stick with the process, and why parents should support but not remove hardship.  We also discuss the club’s culture of loyalty, tradition, discipline, and “the journey is the reward” mindset.

00:00 Intro

01:22 Why Brant Came Back

02:35 Inside a Championship Culture

04:11  Values Beyond Wins

04:47 Walking On at Notre Dame

09:03 Hard Season Turning Point

12:55 Coaching Then vs Now

15:15 Advice for Struggling Players

16:09 Lightning Round

16:55 Parent Clarity

20:24 Culture—Loyalty, Tradition, Discipline

24:50 The Journey Is the Reward

27:10 Closing and Raise the Stick

Ian O’Hearn became the MIHS Head Coach in 2001, thinking it might be a pit stop. Twenty-five years later, he’s the winningest lacrosse coach in Washington State history and architect of the largest youth program in the state.

This conversation is about what it actually takes to build something that lasts: 

--the NY high school program that shaped his philosophy

--the loss that made him realize he was made to coach

--how he met his wife

--why he’s pushed multi-sport athletes for 25 years

--how a preschool-to-varsity pipeline is the foundation of the team's competitive advantage, and 

--what parents consistently get wrong on the sideline and in the college recruiting process.

Loyalty. Tradition. Discipline. It’s not just a slogan. It’s 25 years of deliberate work — and this is the story of how it got built.

Parents today sometimes think they need to choose between youth sports programs that focus on long-term development of the entire athlete, and those that play to win.

Kiernan Coles shows that no choice is needed between these two and in fact they go hand-in-hand. The Mercer Island Lacrosse alum went on to play for reigning Division I champion Cornell before returning to coach at the Club.

We discuss how MILC focuses on discipline, accountability, mentorship, and deep investment in youth as the foundation of a lasting winning culture . Kiernan shares how Mercer Island prepared him for college through discipline and resilience, and he reflects on what he learned working through severe adversity, including multiple family losses and a season-ending injury.

Kiernan explains what separates top players (extra work and accountability), offers parent advice about letting kids own the journey, and explains why he returns to coach and mentor the next generation.

Note: opinions expressed are those of the host and guest and not necessarily those of MILC.

What does it look like when the right habits, built early, compound over time?

Evan Condon lived that process, growing up in Mercer Island Lacrosse, helping win a state championship, playing Division 1 lacrosse at West Point and serving as an Army officer, and returning to the Club to give back by coaching the next generation.

We talk about what carries forward, and why that matters.

Among other topics, we discuss:

-- The habits that most shaped Evan's trajectory.

--What matters more: talent, or discipline and caring deeply?

--What separates players who thrive from those who struggle?

--What parents sometimes overemphasize (versus what actually matters).

This conversation about our culture and approach to long-term development shows what can happen when you play The Long Game.

Note: opinions expressed are those of the host and guest and not necessarily those of MILC.

The Long Game uses the story of the Mercer Island Lacrosse Club to explore the habits, values, and culture that shape athletes and build lasting success in youth sports

Every great program starts with a few people who believe something different is possible.  In the podcast's first episode, we sit down with Mark Larson, one of the founders of the Mercer Island Lacrosse Club (MILC) and still a current coach.  We explore how the program began and the conscious decisions that shaped its culture from the start.

What started as a small effort to build opportunities for young players grew into one of the most unique and successful lacrosse communities on the west coast.  But the real story isn't about wins and losses--it's about building a culture where players learn Loyalty, Tradition, Discipline, and habits that create success long after the final whistle.

Mark reflects on the early days of program, the deliberate choices that drove its identity and culture, and MILC's focus on long-term development.

The Long Game explores the habits, values, culture, and stories that shape athletes and consistently produce champions, both on and off the field.

If you enjoyed the episode, follow the show and share it with other parents, coaches, and players.  And let us know what you think at [email protected]

Note: The views expressed are those of the host and guest and do not necessarily reflect those of Mercer Island Lacrosse Club.