Coach Ryan Hughes brings more than three decades of lacrosse experience, leadership, and community involvement as the Head Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach at Alexandria City High School. A lifelong student of the game, Hughes graduated in 1993 from Westfield (N.J.) High
School, a nationally regarded lacrosse powerhouse, where he was a two-time letter winner and standout long stick defensive midfielder. He was competitively selected to represent his region in two consecutive Garden State Games Lacrosse Tournaments, New Jersey’s premier high school lacrosse tournament.
Hughes went on to play four seasons (1994–1997) of Division III lacrosse at the United States Merchant Marine Academy as a two-way offensive midfielder in the Skyline Conference. During his collegiate career, he helped lead the Midshipmen to four consecutive Maritime Academy Tournament championships and served as Team Captain in his senior year. Balancing the intense academic and military demands of a federal service academy, Hughes developed a leadership style rooted in discipline, teamwork, accountability, and integrity—qualities he brings to high school athletics.
A 24-year resident of Alexandria City, Hughes is deeply connected to the local sports community. He currently serves as President of the Alexandria City Football Program Boosters and is a strong supporter of the Titan athletic tradition. His ties to ACHS lacrosse are personal as well as professional: his son Cooper played long stick midfield on the Varsity team as a sophomore during the 2025 season, and his younger son, Cole, was an attackman on the Junior Varsity team as an eighth grader.
“I’m excited to serve as the next Alexandria City High School Head Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach and build upon the successes of former Head Coach and District Lacrosse Coach of the Year, Sean Hamon, and returning coaching staff including Kevin McDermott, Michael
Routhouska, Danny Organek and John Carver,” Hughes says. “I value a positive environment and seek to inspire each student-athlete.”
