About/Bio

John Vella – Founder of Rocky Mountain Express

John Vella, the founder of Rocky Mountain Express, has always been driven by a singular passion: to build strong, well-rounded individuals. He believes that to become a great player in any sport, you must first develop a deep love for the game. Once that passion is cultivated, the skills and path to success will naturally follow.

Coach Vella’s love for lacrosse began on the East Coast when, at just 10 years old, he was mentored by the legendary Stu Brown, the founder of Springfield Lacrosse. He went on to play for the storied Springfield High School program just west of Philadelphia, where he learned invaluable lessons under the guidance of one of the best "player's coaches" in the game, Jon Heisman.

Vella’s passion led him to Baltimore, Maryland, where he played for two Essex Junior College teams that contended for national championships under the leadership of Tim Puls. His success there earned him a spot at the New York Institute of Technology, where he played for Hall of Fame coach Jack Kaley in the early 2000s. Under Coach Kaley, Vella learned what it takes to succeed on and off the field: love for the game, passion, dedication, hard work, the importance of fundamentals, and the power of building meaningful relationships. Kaley's NYIT teams were ranked #1 in the nation and were perennial national championship contenders before, during and after Vella’s time there.

A pivotal moment in Coach Vella’s journey came when he was invited by his teammate and lifelong friend, Joel Cockarell, to play Junior Box Lacrosse for the Sarnia Cha-Co Pacers in Ontario. This experience in Sarnia opened his eyes to the dynamic world of box lacrosse, a game-changer that further fueled his love for the sport.

Coach Vella credits his success to the unwavering support of his parents and the guidance of the many coaches and teammates who helped shape him. These experiences and values inspired him to build something special in his new home of Fraser, Colorado. In 2015, he founded the Fraser Valley Lacrosse Club, which has since become one of the strongest youth programs in Colorado. The club was built on the same core principles that Coach Vella learned from his mentors throughout his career.

Today, Coach Vella is dedicated to helping players of all levels elevate their game through Rocky Mountain Express. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level, Coach Vella and his team of experienced coaches are here to guide you on your journey. Their goal is simple: to foster a love for the game, promote continuous growth, and help players succeed both on and off the field.

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