Springfield College Lacrosse Community Comes Together to help Youth
Springfield College came alive this summer with the Peak Performance Lacrosse Camp.
By: Damon Markiewicz
Springfield College came alive this summer when the Peak Performance Lacrosse Camp created a culture of positive energy, skill-building, and camaraderie, all while teaching youngsters the basic skills of lacrosse. For three days in early July, youth from across the region enjoyed the College’s renowned athletic facilities and experienced the supportive environment that makes this particular summer camp the place to be.
The Springfield College lacrosse community has always demonstrated a commitment to giving back to both the College and to youth lacrosse organizations. For the second-consecutive year, the camp was led by alumnus Adam Cost ’05 and featured a structure that was focused on helping youth learn the sport of lacrosse while having fun and building lasting friendships.
“This camp is truly designed as a no-pressure camp, and we just want the kids to come out and have fun, learn the skills of lacrosse, and experience the excitement of a fun camp,” explained Cost. “Having the camp at Springfield College is very special because being a proud alum and a former lacrosse student-athlete at the College, I learned so many life-lessons while competing for coach Bugbee that I want to make sure pass along to others.”
Joining Cost at this year’s camp was retired Springfield College Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Keith Bugbee, G’84. Bugbee is a coaching icon at Springfield College, and he established a culture of a lacrosse family during his four-plus decades leading the men’s lacrosse program. Cost has fond memories of playing for coach Bugbee and helping out at the Peak Performance Lacrosse Camp, which Bugbee oversaw during his coaching days. Now with Cost taking the reins in leading the camp, Bugbee is able to come back and enjoy what the camp is all about while spending quality time with his grandson.
“It’s a special feeling to see the camp continuing on and having our lacrosse family still very much involved,” explained Bugbee. “You get to see so many former Springfield College lacrosse players coming back with their kids to participate in the camp. Springfield College lacrosse remains very much a family, and it’s always a great moment to witness the kids having fun playing lacrosse.”
For Cost, the urgency to host such a camp comes from recognizing the need for more true lacrosse developmental camps available for kids. The Peak Performance Lacrosse Camp was one of the most influential lacrosse training programs during the 1990s and early 2000s. Known for its elite coaching staff, innovative training methods, and commitment to player development, the camp helped shape the future of countless athletes while leaving a lasting impact on the sport. Now with the help of many Springfield College lacrosse alumni, the camp has once again established some strong momentum in establishing itself as the premiere youth lacrosse camp in the region.
“Finding a true, no-pressure, just have fun camp is what it’s really all about,” added Cost. “There aren’t a ton of options out there for kids to just go out and have fun learning the basics of lacrosse. With coach Bugbee’s blessing, we received the ok to bring the camp back, and for two years now, it’s has seen some very positive growth.”
After hosting 60 youngsters in 2025, the camp was home to around 120 kids this past summer. For Cost, measuring the success of the camp remains so much more than just the numbers of kids registering; it’s about creating a culture that allows for everyone to have fun and make lasting friendships.
“We just want more kids having fun playing lacrosse,” explained Cost. “The camp is an outlet for the kids to continue to learn the sport of lacrosse and establish both mentorships and friendships. Getting the kids together for skills and drills, and enjoying the great Springfield College campus. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Speaking from his own personal experiences as a student-athlete at Springfield College, Cost shares with campers the impact that the College had on him as both a lacrosse player and also as a person striving for success off the field.
“I am originally from central New York and the Syracuse area, and lacrosse is huge in that region,” explained Cost. “I was attracted to the Physical Education major at Springfield College, and I enjoyed the culture on campus. I wouldn’t have had the success I have had without the Springfield College connections I have made. I was a player for coach Bugbee from 2001 to 2005. In the summer, I was a counselor for the three weeks at the lacrosse camp when he was running it. Helping out taught me the importance of giving back, and that has stayed with me.”
Cost remains busy in the lacrosse communities, helping run a youth program in Avon, Conn. for both boys and girls. In addition, he is the varsity boy’s lacrosse coach at Avon High School, and he runs a boys’ club lacrosse program that represents about 525 youth lacrosse players throughout southern New England.
“We are excited to keep the Peak Performance Lacrosse Camp tradition alive,” explained Cost. “The Springfield College lacrosse family is very special. To have so many alumni come back and help out coaching and bringing their kids to participate, it just shows how tight-knit we all remain. To have coach Bugbee on campus as well, it made for a perfect few days. Making memories that will last a lifetime, that has always been a priority of the camp and the Springfield College lacrosse community.”
Amazing alumni like this are proof of the power of a Springfield College education. Your support helps us continue preparing students to lead in service to others—true to our Humanics philosophy. Give today to support the next generation.
