Mad dog Illinois

Coach Herman and his coaching staff are hand downs the best on and off the field. The conversations and support they offered our son during the recruiting process was instrumental in his success. They held multiple zoom calls, set realistic expectations and opened the lines of communication to my son via a “text any time” mentality. Watching your 16 year old navigate phones calls with college coaches and not knowing how or what to say is challenging, but Aeden was available before and after calls, would help send follow up messages and interpret the meaning of college coach’s messages. Aeden was brutally honest and shared information in a very helpful and productive way to keep our son focused and on the right path. We are so grateful for Maddog and Coach Herman and crew!

Our experience with Mad Dog has been top notch! Aedan Herman and Tommy Duerr are first of all great people. They treat the boys and families like family. The culture of the Mad Dog club is very positive. This starts at the top of the organization and filters down through the families and players. The relationships they develop with the young men they coach is very unique. This is bigger than lacrosse for Aedan and Tommy. They want each player to reach their potential on and off the field. Their passion to lead these players is contagious. There were times when the 2024 team was playing top competition this last summer and college coaches were lined up and down the sidelines in 90 degree heat and the focus, guidance and support of the coaching staff to these boys was always on point. An observation I noticed is that if a player was injured they always put the best interest of the player getting healed ahead of the program. They also do a great job promoting the players for the recruiting process and keeping the parents in the loop. Their measuring stick of their success is the success of the boys they coach and not their egos. They supported Luke and helped facilitate his dream of a commitment to UNC. We are very thankful for the Mad Dog family!

Emmet’s first tournament with Mad Dog was playing for the 2027 National Black Team the summer after 8th grade. The #1 ranked team in the country. He scored one goal in five games and didn’t see the field much. But he loved it. Tommy made him feel like a part of the team, and all the boys and parents were awesome. His third tournament was with Mad Dog National Gold (the second national team). That was Naptown. And you know what, he loved it even though he wasn’t with the top team. Coach Cap has a great ability to get the most out of each player so they all can thrive. He’s serious about winning and playing the right way, but everyone has fun. Since then, Emmet has sometimes played on Black, sometimes Gold, and his main team is West Elite. From a technical standpoint, Tommy, having been an attackman at Johns Hopkins, has worked with Emmet a lot on his finishing and his shooting percentage is far higher than when he joined Mad Dog. Emmet’s also played with East Elite and Lou, Coach O’Hara, and Cap have built an amazing culture in New Jersey. The reason I share all this is we have seen all sides of Mad Dog and are ALL IN! Tommy, Cap, Aedan, Lou etc. all truly want your son to improve and grow into a great lacrosse player, teammate, and young man. They are awesome people, and we are extremely proud to be part of the program

Parents Testimonial:

"From close defense to LSM to Division I, our journey as Tyler’s parents has been nothing short of extraordinary and we owe so much of that to Coach Mike Caposella and his incredible staff at Mad Dog. From the very beginning, when Tyler joined Mad Dog, he was welcomed into a culture of excellence, integrity, and genuine care. The coaches have consistently provided exceptional guidance, support, and encouragement, both on and off the field.

Coach Caposella and the entire staff are not only experts in the game of lacrosse, but also deeply invested in the personal growth of each player. Under their leadership, Tyler has grown tremendously; not only in skill and knowledge of the sport, but also in confidence, discipline, and character. The individualized attention Tyler receives has made a profound difference; the coaches truly understand their athletes, recognize their strengths, and push them to reach their full potential.

We have complete trust in the Mad Dog program and feel incredibly grateful that Tyler is part of such a special team. The passion and dedication that Coach Caposella and his staff bring to every practice, game, and tournament are unmatched. For any family seeking a transformative lacrosse experience, we wholeheartedly recommend Mad Dog."

Player Testimonial:

"Learning to play lacrosse has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Through this journey, I’ve not only developed a deep understanding of the game, but I’ve also learned the values of teamwork, discipline, and the importance of pushing myself to grow every single day.

Coach Caposella and his staff at Mad Dog have been truly incredible; always present and always supportive. They didn’t just teach me how to play lacrosse, they taught me how to be accountable, how to overcome challenges, and how to strive for constant improvement. Their belief in me, their guidance, and their unwavering support have made a lasting impact. I’ve grown not just as an athlete, but as a person, learning what it truly means to be a teammate and a leader.

Mad Dog is so much more than just a team, it’s a family. It’s a community that celebrates every win together, supports each other through setbacks, and creates bonds that last well beyond the field. I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships I’ve built and the lessons I’ve learned. Lessons I’ll carry with me into the next chapter of my life.

In the fall of 2026, I’ll begin a new journey as a Jasper, playing Division I lacrosse and studying Civil Engineering. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Coach Caposella and his staff. Thank you to all the coaches for believing in me and helping me become the person and player I am today."

"Coach Cap is truly one of the most impactful people I’ve met in the world of lacrosse. His deep knowledge of the game is matched by the humility, respect, and care he brings to every relationship. He doesn’t just coach; he connects, inspires, and elevates everyone around him. His presence fosters genuine growth, both on and off the field. While it’s bittersweet to see him leave New Jersey, I’m genuinely excited for the players in Illinois. They’re gaining not just a great coach, but an incredible mentor and leader."