Motor City Knights Lacrosse (of Vision Lacrosse Academy) is the exclusive lacrosse club program in the Chesterfield/New Baltimore, MI area. We understand the importance of good coaching and having coaches that care and will help mentor players on and off the field. We at Motor City Knights feel that everyone should have an opportunity to play this great game. That is why we don't have tryouts. Different players peak at different times and we don't want anyone to be turned away. Lacrosse is a great sport and we don't want anybody to miss out on this opportunity. We emphasize on making sure that we have a good balance of games vs practices. We will not over commit on games because we feel the players will never have time to correct anything they may need improvement on. We want to make sure all of our coaches encourage our players and not discourage them. With hard work, commitment, integrity and passion, we feel success will come. Success is defined differently by everyone. We make sure everyone is improving, working well as a team, being part of the family atmosphere and most of all having fun playing this great sport.
History of the Motor City Knights
Q. - How long have the Knights been around?
A. - The Knights were formed in 2012 as an extension of Vision Lacrosse Academy.
Q. - Why are we called the Motor City Knights?
A. - We didn't know where our home field would be and we were looking in St.Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Roseville, Mt. Clemens, Clinton Twp., New Baltimore and New Haven. So we decided on Motor City because we didn't know where we would end up. As far as the Knights name goes, we polled our alumni players (former teams) via an online poll asking for team name ideas and KNIGHTS won . So that's how we became the Motor City Knights.
Q. - Is this a parks and recreation team?
A. - Technically no. We are very excited to team up with the New Baltimore Parks and Recreation Department. They were looking to bring the sport of lacrosse to the youth in the area and we were looking for a home. We are proud to work with NB Parks and Rec and we have formed a great relationship and we have the same vision for this great sport and for helping the youth in the community. Motor City Knights Lacrosse is owned and operated by Vision Lacrosse Academy LLC
Q. - How was the team formed and why?
A. - Coach Benoit coached at St.Mary (Mt.Clemens) from 2007 - 2012. Him and the Coaching Staff took the program from last place to winning division championships in 4 years. His children were changing schools and he felt the Lord was pushing him to spread the game of lacrosse to those who do not have a chance to play. The sport of lacrosse is a great way to bring different boys together from all over and give them a common bond. Lacrosse has changed Coach Benoit's life so he wanted to give back to the community and hope it will do the same for other boys. Coach Benoit started by doing summer camps with Vision Lacrosse Academy and then after 2 years of camps then Motor City Knights was born.
Q. - Why is the Motor City Knights different from other lacrosse club teams?
A. - Our main goal is to not only teach the youth about the great sport of lacrosse but to mentor the youth in a positive way by leading by example on and off of the lacrosse field. Motor City Knights is a faith based organization that is built upon Judeo-Christian ethics. Our mission is to champion the youth to grow not only as lacrosse players but personally, professionally and spiritually. We will use our values, integrity, knowledge, love for Jesus Christ and compassion to help children unleash their utmost potential to become better lacrosse players and members of society with hopes of them passing on the same intrinsic values and mentorship. We welcome all players from all skill levels, beliefs and backgrounds. We are more like a family then a business.
Q. - Do I have to live in Macomb to get a discount?
A. - No, we have players from surrounding areas but encourage those to play at their respective area team if they have one available. Since there are no other youth programs north or north east of us we tend to get players from Richmond, New Baltimore and even Canada.
Q. - Are you a feeder program for the Chippewa Valley School District (Dakota / CV)?
A. - Coach Jason Benoit has been a lacrosse consultant at Dakota since 2017. Alot of the players that come through our program will go to play on at Eisenhower, Dakota, Chippewa Valley, Lanse Creuse North and even Anchor Bay and others.
Q. - Where is your home field?
A. - We practice and play out of Iroquois Middle School in Macomb (21 and Romeo Plank).
*Updated* October 2019
Motor City Knights Moved to Macomb, MI
*Updated* 2023 - Suburban Lacrosse League is now community based and driven.
Our goal for Motor City Knights (Spring Teams) are to be 80 - 90% Chippewa Valley School players by 2025 season. The support from CVS district has been tremendous and this goal is inline with our league. We want players to play with the friends and teammates as early as possible. This helps them, the sport and the schools tremendously. Parents build relationships with other parents along the way as well. Its a WIN WIN initiative and solution to helping players achieve their goals on / off the field.
NOTE: Offseason programs, clinics, tournaments will be populated by players all over michigan and including canada.
Lacrosse is growing in our Area.......come find out why!