Sign Up · Sign In · Feedback

Who We Are

Mission of TVYLA: to provide access to lacrosse for all Teton Valley youth and to enhance our community by instilling qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and self-esteem through the sport of lacrosse.

Our Board:

Jason Chircop (Chair)
Jason started his lacrosse career in Longmeadow, MA where he was a high school All-American and captained his high school team to a Massachusetts Boys Lacrosse State Championship. Jason then attended Colorado College where he played four years of NCAA division 3 men's lacrosse and captained the team his senior year. Jason is passionate about youth athletics and has been a part of TVYLA since it's inaugural season. 

Emily Nichols
Emily is a Montana native who grew up in a gym with her father who coached basketball. She ran track, cross country and played basketball in middle school and enjoyed playing basketball, throwing discus and javelin in high school. Lacrosse was not a common sport in the west as she grew up,  so when she found the opportunity to expose her two daughters to a new sport, she was excited! Her daughters Ida and Hazel are enthusiastic about the TVYLA program and Emily is excited to help the program grow!


Derek DiVenere
Raised in Essex Vermont, Derek started playing pickup lacrosse in 8th grade and grew as a player as the sports popularity was rapidly increasing in the state.  A culmination point for both the sport and a player was when Essex Junction High School won the last Mountain State Club Title before Varsity Lacrosse became a fully sanctioned sport in 1990.  Three varsity years alongside great players from all over New England at St. Michaels College and a move out west playing summer pickup games evolved into in a volunteer position with Jackson Hole Lacrosse Club identifying coaching talent for a rapidly growing program in Jackson from 2010-2014.   A founding member, 2015 brought a small group of players and parents together to establish a program in Teton Valley to share the game of lacrosse with a great community.


Hilary Ordonez

Hilary grew up in Charlottesville, VA where she rode horses until she picked up a lacrosse stick and got hooked. She played attacking midfield for STAB and then at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. Lacrosse was life for a while, and was the basis for many life-long friendships and core values, namely honesty, integrity, and teamwork. After moving out west after college, Hilary missed the lax community and was thrilled to get involved with the fledgling TVYLA program! She has served on the board since 2016 and is excited to help develop the lacrosse program for our Idaho kiddos.

David Hudacsko 
Dave grew up in Bridgewater, NJ where he had the privilege to play for Bridgewater-Raritan High School with outstanding coaches such as Coach Chuck Apel.  There was a core crew of friends that had known each other for years playing a variety of sports since they were 5 & 6 years old. This on- and off-the-field friendship was key in bringing home the first state title in school history. College lacrosse followed at University of Vermont where he was captain of the division 1 team while playing defensive midfield with a focus as the face-off man.  He remains close friends with everyone that I was able to play lacrosse with, which is the real reward in his opinion.  He hopes that being part of the TVYLA will provide boys and girls in our community the opportunity to appreciate teamwork, enjoy this type of camaraderie and develop life-long friendships.


Todd Witek
Lacrosse found Todd at the age of 12 in Littleton, Colorado. He was schooled under the tutelage of Reverend George Brown.  He went on to play for two different high schools in and around Denver, the later went on to compete for State Title. Lacrosse found Todd once again went he was going to UNC Greeley, CO with many former Denver HS players! Continued onto briefly play for University of Colorado (intramural squad). 
Including the old guy team that Todd and his friends formed in Victor, ID in 2006(ish), he's been blessed to play (and coach) with such amazing talent at hand my whole life.

Anthony Owens
Anthony Owens grew up in Idaho where Lacrosse was not a common sport. He and his wife moved to Victor in 2007. He has two boys named Tristen and Teegan who both started playing Lacrosse at a very young age. Tristen started playing the sport when it first became a club in Teton Valley. Anthony has had a passion for it ever since. He enjoys watching his kids and fellow teammates grow, practice, and play as a team. He feels it is such a great program for the youth and our community and wanted to give back to the program. He decided to do this byjoining the board and helping grow the program.

Jennifer Fay

Jennifer is a Jackson Hole native who grew up dancing from kindergarten through college at Western Washington and then at Montana State University. She also played soccer in high school, was on the cross country ski team and was a Rotary exchange student. Lacrosse had not yet found it’s way to the West when she was in school, but if it had she would have played! Lacrosse is a sport her family has grown to LOVE. She has 4 children, her 2 oldest Claire and Taylor started playing the year the Wolverine program began in the Valley and Madeline started playing as soon as she was old enough. It is only a matter of time before the youngest, Marion, is wearing a Wolverine jersey herself. Jennifer is passionate about seeing our lacrosse program grow and helping our community support club team programs that teach kids about responsibility, accountability and how to have FUN with your friends developing lifelong skills and friendships!

Our Staff 

Heather Frei - Executive Director
Heather Frei's appointment as the Executive Director of the Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association is an exciting development for the organization. As the first ED, she brings a wealth of organizational experience and dedication to the role. Her background as the former Emergency Communications Supervisor for the Teton County Sheriff's Office shows her commitment to public service and community. After a decade of service, she decided to focus more on spending time with her family, which is a commendable choice. Heather and her family have deep roots in the Teton Valley community. Her son, Whalen, and daughter, Ella, are actively involved in local schools, and Ella's early participation in the lacrosse program exemplifies its growth as a valuable asset for the community. With Heather's leadership and passion, it's clear that TVYLA is in capable hands as it continues to grow and maintain its Wolverine culture for years to come. Her dedication to both her family and the lacrosse program is commendable, and it's exciting to see her take on this important role.


Rachel Fortier - Program Director

Rachel’s diverse background in sports and her passion for both team and individual activities make her a valuable asset to the Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse program as the Program Director and part of the High School Girls Team Coach. Growing up near Washington, D.C., she engaged in a wide range of sports, including lacrosse, tennis, cross-country, track, equestrian activities, and ski racing. Her love for sports, especially team sports, has had a significant impact on her life. Her move to Teton Valley for skiing might have been the primary motive, but her involvement with the lacrosse program has been a pleasant surprise. Her passion for growing both the program and the sport of lacrosse in the region is evident. Her experience and enthusiasm will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and development of the program in the Teton Valley community.




Send Your Feedback