If you ask Andrew Spillars what’s holding back lacrosse in the Midwest, he won’t talk about talent. He’ll talk about structure. Access. Coaching. And the need to invest in kids before they hit high school.
As the Director of Lacrosse at Lou Fusz Athletic in St. Louis, Andrew is doing something about it. In just a few years, he’s more than doubled the size of the club’s boys program—growing from 150 to over 300 players—and he’s not stopping there.
“We just want to create a fun, inclusive environment focused on development,” Andrew said. “It’s not about cutting kids or chasing wins. It’s about showing them what’s possible—and giving them a place to love the sport.”
A Local Leader With a Big Vision
Andrew’s own lacrosse journey started like many in the Midwest: late, by comparison. He picked up the game in sixth grade thanks to a neighbor, played through high school, and went on to play five years at Missouri Baptist University.
But what really stuck with him wasn’t just playing—it was coaching.
He started coaching during his freshman year of college and never stopped. After stints at private schools, he joined Lou Fusz in 2022 with a mission to scale the club and raise the bar for player development in St. Louis.
Today, Lou Fusz boasts 10 turf fields (the old Rams facility), a strong girls program that’s quickly catching up in numbers, and a reputation for doing things differently.
The Coaching Philosophy That Works
Andrew’s approach is simple but powerful:
- Create an environment where kids feel seen and supported
- Hire the right coaches for the right age groups
- Start with fundamentals, especially at the youngest levels
- Make every player feel like they belong
He’s intentionally stayed close to the 8U–12U levels, believing that’s where the biggest impact can be made.
“If you coach them the right way early, you’re setting them up for success down the road,” he said. “That’s where we’ve been behind compared to the East and West Coasts—there just aren’t enough good coaches at the youth level.”
It's About People—Not Just Players
Ask any parent why their kid sticks with the Lou Fusz program, and they’ll probably mention the same thing: Andrew knows their name. Their kid’s name. Maybe even what position they play and what they need to work on.
“I try to walk the fence and say hi to parents. I text them. I answer calls. I’m at every practice,” he said. “It’s not just about running drills—it’s about showing that you care.”
That attention trickles down to every coach on staff and helps build trust with families season after season.
Fighting for the Future of Lacrosse in Missouri
In St. Louis, lacrosse is still not a state-sanctioned sport—and that’s a problem Andrew is determined to help solve.
Right now, the private schools dominate the scene. Public school access is limited, and the number of teams has actually dropped in recent years. But there’s hope.
Lou Fusz recently helped start a new public school program that already has over 150 kids playing. And Andrew is pushing to get 10 more teams up and running so Missouri can meet the threshold for official sanctioning.
“The goal is to grow the game across the city,” he said. “Not just at the top, but from the ground up.”
Why It Matters
At Signature Athletics, we believe sport is for everyone. That means building systems that include—not exclude. That means investing in youth, in people, and in passionate leaders who care more about growth than glory.
Andrew Spillars is doing just that in the heart of the Midwest. And we’re proud to share his story.
Let’s keep growing the game—together.
