Men’s lacrosse head coach Chris Fiefs didn’t always envision himself as a lacrosse coach. Instead, he wanted to pursue federal law enforcement or join the military.

Feifs is in his third season at UVM and two years ago led the men’s program to their most successful season on the field and in the classroom, according to UVM athletics.

Currently, the men’s lacrosse team has a 7-6 overall record before the start of the America East tournament, according to UVM athletics.

Fiefs began playing lacrosse in eighth grade in Durham, North Carolina.

“I had two older brothers that didn’t play lacrosse,” he said. “I wanted to do something different than them.”

Feifs became the first scholarship athlete to play lacrosse at University of Maryland College Park.

The team reached the NCAA semifinals twice. Feifs served as team captain his senior year and reached a career record of 19 points.

Feifs spent two seasons as an assistant offensive coordinator at the Virginia Military Institute.

He helped lead VMI to their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament and championship game, according to VMI athletics.

Fiefs spent seven years at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill as a defensive coordinator and faceoff coach.

UVM finished the 2018 season with a 12-4 record, according to UVM athletics.

Midfielder Braiden Davis, a senior, said relationship building is important to the team.

“He knows what it takes to win and cares about the players,” Davis said.

Feifs said the 2017-2018 season was his proudest accomplishment so far.

Midfielder Thomas McConvey, a first-year, praised Feifs’ leadership.

“Feifs likes to joke around, but on game day he’s focused,” he said.

One of Feifs’ best qualities is his ability to motivate and push the team to their full potential, midfielder Mark Marciano, a senior, said.

“Fiefs challenges us to be the best we can be,” Marciano said.

Feifs said he hopes to continue at UVM and improve the team for years to come.

“I’d love to be here for a long time, but I want to make sure we’re doing the right things,” he said.