Austin Braerman, General Manager Salt Lake Storm
Some coaches step onto the field to win games. Others do it to change lives and grow the sport they love. Austin Braerman falls into the second category. His journey—from playing lacrosse in Maryland to starting a semi-pro box lacrosse team in Utah—is a testament to what happens when passion meets opportunity.
Austin’s story is one of building, mentoring, and expanding the game in places where lacrosse is still finding its footing. And it all started in Fallston, Maryland, a town rich with lacrosse tradition.
A Maryland-Born Lacrosse Journey
Austin grew up in Fallston, Maryland, surrounded by a thriving lacrosse culture. Playing both soccer and lacrosse throughout his youth, he quickly recognized the unique camaraderie that came with the sport. By high school, lacrosse had become his true passion.
"My senior year, we won the 2A state championship—it was an unforgettable experience."
Austin continued playing at the University of Maryland, competing at the D1 club level while pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. Balancing labs, academics, and athletics made it nearly impossible to walk onto the varsity team, but club lacrosse provided the perfect blend of competition and community.
After graduating, his career took him across the country, but lacrosse was always part of the journey.
Coaching & Building the Sport in Washington
Austin’s professional career led him to Richland, Washington, where he worked on a nuclear waste treatment plant. Despite the demanding job, he saw an opportunity to give back to the game by helping grow the sport in an underserved area.
"There were only a few high school teams in the area. I wanted to be part of something bigger—to help establish lacrosse in a region where it was still developing."
Austin began coaching at Richland High School, one of the stronger programs in Eastern Washington, where he helped develop players and elevate the team’s performance. But as lacrosse continued to grow in the region, he saw an opportunity to bring the game to even more athletes.
Wanting to serve another community and help expand access to the sport, he went on to co-found the lacrosse program at Hanford High School, building it from the ground up.
"These kids were athletic, but many had never picked up a stick before. Coaching them from the ground up, seeing their development, and watching them fall in love with the game was incredibly rewarding."
For Austin, coaching wasn’t just about teaching fundamentals—it was about instilling life lessons:
✅ The Power of Small Wins – Progress doesn’t happen overnight. Even a single goal in a game was a step forward.
✅ Building a Culture – When creating a new program, it’s about more than X’s and O’s. It’s about establishing a mindset of discipline, respect, and continuous improvement.
✅ Life Lessons Beyond the Game – From communication to leadership to handling feedback, Austin made sure his players took lessons off the field as much as they did on it.
"Kids don’t just want a coach. They want a mentor. They need someone who listens, supports, and pushes them to grow—not just as players, but as people."
Bringing Box Lacrosse to Utah
In 2021, Austin moved to Utah for work. But rather than just continuing to coach, he saw another huge opportunity to grow the game—this time in a different format: box lacrosse.
"I love box lacrosse—the speed, the strategy, the finesse. I saw an untapped market in Utah and thought: Why not start something?"
That’s exactly what he did.
Austin founded the Salt Lake Storm, a semi-pro box lacrosse team that gives players a chance to compete after high school and college. The team now plays against top competition in Denver, Vegas, Dallas, and beyond, giving athletes a pathway to continue their lacrosse careers.
"The team is now in its fifth season, and it’s incredible to see how tight-knit this group has become. It’s more than just a team—it’s a family."
Expanding the Game for Women
Recognizing a lack of opportunities for girls in Utah to play box lacrosse, Austin and his team launched the Salt Lake Blizzard, a high school girls’ box lacrosse program.
"Girls’ field lacrosse is amazing, but why shouldn’t they have the chance to experience the speed and skill development that comes with box?"
The response has been overwhelming, with 30+ girls already signed up and more on the way.
"There’s a stereotype that women’s sports are less physical, but I’ve run clinics where these girls hit just as hard as the guys. Giving them this opportunity to play at a high level, build confidence, and break those stereotypes is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done."
The Mission of Grow the Game
Austin’s story is proof that anyone can grow the game—whether by coaching, starting a new program, or creating opportunities for underserved athletes.
- He saw a gap in youth sports and stepped up.
- He built teams from scratch and instilled lasting values in his players.
- He continues to expand opportunities for the next generation.
This is exactly what the Grow the Game Newsletter is all about.
We believe that stories like Austin’s inspire the next wave of athletes, coaches, and program directors to take action and expand access to sports. Whether it’s mentoring a young player, launching a new team, or advocating for opportunities for girls in sports, every effort counts in making youth sports a truly inclusive, growing movement.
About Signature Locker
Ordering custom uniforms and team swag is one of the biggest and most overlooked challenges in team sports today. Signature Locker is solving this problem.
With on-demand, high-quality sublimation-dyed uniforms shipped directly to players' homes, Signature Locker eliminates the hassle of bulk orders and distribution. Through their Signature Partner Program Team Store, parents and fans can also support their team by ordering customized merchandise featuring team colors and logos—while Program Directors earn rewards for every dollar spent.
By switching to Signature Locker’s on-demand model, teams save 100+ hours and tens of thousands of dollars, allowing them to focus on the game instead of the gear.
About Salt Lake Storm
Salt Lake Storm is a semi-professional box lacrosse team committed to providing high-level competition and a strong community for post-high school and collegiate players. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Storm offers athletes an opportunity to continue their lacrosse careers at an elite level while growing the sport in the region.
The team isn’t just about competition—it’s about building a culture of excellence, camaraderie, and development. Whether players are looking to stay connected to the game, hone their skills, or compete at a higher level, the Storm provides a fast-paced, team-first environment that pushes every athlete to be their best.
Has lacrosse shaped your life in a meaningful way? We'd love to feature your story in a future edition! Reply to this email if you’re interested.
About Salt Lake Blizzard
The Salt Lake Blizzard is a high school girls’ box lacrosse program dedicated to expanding opportunities for female athletes in Utah. With a commitment to growth, confidence, and skill development, the Blizzard provides girls with a competitive, high-energy environment where they can push their limits and embrace a new style of play.
Unlike traditional field lacrosse, box lacrosse emphasizes speed, physicality, and quick decision-making, giving players a unique edge that translates across all levels of the sport. By breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, the Blizzard is helping to redefine what’s possible for female athletes in Utah.
