08/26/2026
🥍 52 Coaches. 52 Weeks.
Week 19
Coach CJ Barlow
Walled Lake Gladiators 7/8 Goalie Coach
For Coach CJ, the desire to coach came from someone who had already made an impact on him.
After being inspired by his own goalie coach, Coach Aaron Auge, CJ wanted to give back to the lacrosse community that had given him so much.
During his senior year of high school, while playing for Farmington United Boys Lacrosse, Coach CJ reached out to help coach goalies in a neighboring school district, joining the Walled Lake Gladiators youth program as the volunteer goalie coach for the 7/8 team.
It was his first coaching experience, and he stepped into the role while still finishing his own high school playing career. He volunteered his time simply because of his love for lacrosse, the goalie position, and the opportunity to help younger players grow.
Now committed to Alma College, Coach CJ will continue his lacrosse journey there this fall while already beginning to pass what he has learned on to the next generation of goalies.
His favorite playing memory came at the end of his sophomore year.
After becoming the emergency goalie, he earned his first win in net as Farmington United defeated Fenton 9–6.
🥍 Fun fact: Before becoming a goalie, Coach CJ played faceoff for two years.
From Coach Auge to Coach CJ and now to the next group of goalies — this is how impact continues to travel through the game.
💬 Show some love for Coach CJ below
— Walled Lake LAX
