Brandon Fortier May Be a Mystery, But Reasons For Issaquah's Success Are Not

Issaquah Lacrosse began in 2002 and has since built its name as one of Washington’s top lacrosse programs.  They quickly reached the pinnacle of the Division II ranks with a State Championship in 2004.  Then they ascended to the top of Division I with back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009.  In eight seasons, thirty players have been named to All-State teams and Travis Wright was the program’s first All-American in 2008. 

Everyone in the state is familiar with Issaquah lacrosse and the successes they have enjoyed.  But as a newbie to Washington lacrosse, I wanted to catch up with the man behind the incredible growth of the program, Brandon Fortier.

Any time there is a high school lacrosse event going on in the area, chances are you’ll find Fortier there.  I met him for the first time at the Battle of Bothell, before I had any idea what kind of name the Issaquah program had made for itself.  The more I learned about Washington lacrosse and the more people I talked to, the more I heard about Issaquah.  And after getting a chance to talk to Fortier, it was pretty clear why the program had become so successful.  The dude has a serious love and passion for lacrosse.

One of Washington’s native lacrosse sons, Fortier played the game here before the crazy growth we are seeing today.  It all started when he was in elementary school and found his father’s wooden sticks.  He began playing at the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club in sixth grade and went on to play at Eastside in junior high.

It was less than 20 years ago, but the lacrosse landscape was much different than it is today.  “I didn’t know of any youth lacrosse going on then except in Bellevue,” Fortier said.  “And there were maybe 14 high school teams in the area.”

But despite lacrosse not yet being in the mainstream, Fortier knew in his junior year of high school he wanted to continue his playing career.  He looked at schools on the east coast and around the country, but ultimately settled on Whittier College just outside of Los Angeles, Calif.  For four years, Fortier and the Poets dominated the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL).  The success of those teams contributed largely to Whittier becoming an NCAA Independent a year after his graduation.

Fortier returned home and began his teaching career as a student teacher at Liberty High School.  He now teaches Math and P.E. at Issaquah, where he started the lacrosse program in 2002.  “I had a lot of fun learning lacrosse and I want kids to get that same experience.”

One could easily say that Issaquah has set the standard on how to build a lacrosse program today.  But why did it seem to come so naturally there?  “Well first of all, it’s a great sport,” Fortier said, matter-of-factly.  “I really got lucky starting at Issaquah.  It’s a great socioeconomic situation for lacrosse and everyone was really welcoming and organized.”

“We’ve done a great job of getting to the Bainbridge Island/Mercer Island standard,” he adds.

Fortier attributes the program’s success to his first group of athletes.  “We took our freshman and said, ‘here’s how you play.’  We continued to set small goals for them and they continued to grow.”

A turning point for the program was at a Washington High School Championship game.  But the Issaquah players weren’t there to play: they watched from the stands.  “I told them, ‘this could be you guys.  There’s no reason we can’t be at this level.’”  It was during this Bainbridge/Mercer championship game that the program took its form.  “We had a good group of kids and they bought into it.  They saw our passion for the game and they set the standard,” Fortier said.

Fortier coaches with his brother Jordan, who was the state’s first two-time All-American when he played for Eastside.  “It’s cool that we get to stay connected with each other through lacrosse,” Fortier said of having his brother as an assistant coach.  But it appears that the kids are willing to follow their lead.  “We have lofty expectations for them.  But winning is fun.  It may be a cliché, but success breeds success.”

Fortier and the lacrosse program have the support of the Issaquah student body as well.  “It’s great to see the nucleus of the school – the baseball, football and basketball teams and other athletes – out supporting the lacrosse kids,” he says.  “Lacrosse has become just as much a part of the school as the main sports.  I think every student at Issaquah can tell you about the lacrosse team.”

So now Issaquah lacrosse is one of the powerhouses of Washington lacrosse.  And Fortier doesn’t seem to be slowing down; there is still work to do.  Getting lacrosse recognized by the WIAA is what Fortier wants for the future of the sport.  “We’ve got some work to do, but it will be some day, hopefully within the next ten years,” he said of his expectations.  “And those of us that have been a part of it from the start will be able to feel a great sense of pride.”


With the standard being set by the likes of Fortier, the Issaquah program and those working just as hard with the other great programs in the area, it’s hard not to believe him. 

While we all know about the Issaquah program, many of us don't know much about the man on the sidelines.  Here is a bit more from Brandon Fortier.

What are your biggest lacrosse influences?

BF: Bruce Brown was my junior high teacher and was a huge influence in general... he really taught me how to go about things and showed me how much fun the athletic arena could be.  Bill Brosseau was my first true lacrosse coach and I credit him for instilling a passion in me... a passion to play and compete. 

What keeps you motivated?

BF: The buzz created amongst the kids and the community here in Issaquah.  The kids are having fun... they want to get better... they push each other...so it motivates me to keep pushing them and do everything I can to keep improving as a coach and as a program.

Why do you coach high school and not other age groups?

BF: I loved my high school years and wished I could have experienced lacrosse in high school more like I experienced in college...so I guess I enjoy helping bring that experience to the HS level.  I enjoy being at the same school with the kids and watching them grow... no recruiting like there is in college, no money like the pros... just the kids that grow up together in the community.

How is your role as a coach different from other programs since you teach at the school?

BF: I think I have a little advantage in that I can keep track of them so to speak on a daily basis... if they are out of line or falling behind in school I'll here about it... they know that too so it helps motivate them.

What are your biggest pet peeves as a coach?

BF: I am big on discipline... drives me nuts when kids are late, missing equipment, full of excuses, etc.  I preach to them that all the coaches and their parents do a ton of work for them off the field to make sure their experience is as fun as can be.  All I ask from them is to show up on time, ready to play and have fun.

Your brother Jordan coaches with you now.  What was your relationship like with him growing up?  How did lacrosse play a role in your relationship?

BF: We always had a good relationship but he didn't pick up lacrosse until 6th grade and since he is 5 years younger I didn't get to see him play a ton.  It bums me out that I missed most of his high school career, but I enjoyed watching him find his own passion for the game and take his ability to levels I never reached.  After I came back from Whittier we got to play together a the men's club level for a bit and that was a good time.

What's it like coaching with Jordan now?

BF: Simply awesome.  I couldn't ask for a better assistant coach and getting to hang out with him on a daily basis makes it that much better.  He is a great one on one, hands on guy.

You spent four years at Whittier College playing lacrosse.  What is your best memory of your playing days as a Poet?  How did your experience then help you as a coach now?

BF: I think just the overall experience of getting to travel with the team, all the daily joking around in the locker room...stuff that I really didn't get to experience in high school.  As I mentioned earlier I try to bring the true sense of team and program to my kids at the high school level.  Coach Locker was a great organizer and put together a great program at Whittier and I think I took a lot of those things with me to the coaching ranks.

In terms of playing, my best memories would include:

-beating Denver in overtime after we scored to tie the game with under 5 seconds left
-matching up against Nazareth the year they won the D3 national title... I caught a clearing pass cutting across the middle and turned to find Tom Fritz (Nazareth's All-American LSM)running with me... I was just glad I didn't get stripped... haha... after watching numerous highlights of him pinwheeling plenty of sticks.

"It's a great sport," was your reason behind the recent growth of lacrosse in the area.  But lacrosse has been a great sport for a long time.  So what is making it happen here now?

BF: I think there is finally an influx of coaching talent out here... either transplants from the east coast...or guys like me that went off to play and came back to the area.

What are the biggest challenges facing Washington lacrosse and its growth?

BF: Continuing to find knowledgeable coaches and referees.
Breaking down the barriers between schools and the traditional sports.